Young Adult Picks on Hoopla

  • Posted on: 13 April 2020
  • By: Ms. Eileen

This Cannot Be Real - YA Fairytale and Mythology

The Cruel Prince - Holly Black – This is Game of Thrones light.  Black knows her fairy mythology and writes an engaging and twisting tale about the dangers of high court. Libby ebook and audiobook.  Sequels: The Wicked King (Libby audiobook) and The Queen of Nothing (Libby ebook and audiobook)

The Hazel Wood – Melissa Albert – Inventive and gripping story that blends original fairy tales with real life events. Libby ebook and audiobook Sequel: The Night Country (Libby ebook and audiobook)

Heartless – Marissa Meyer – Fractured fairy fans unite!  This backstory of the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland bears no resemblance to the dumpy queen from the Disney version. Libby audiobook

Monstrous Beauty - Elizabeth Fama – This is not Disney’s Little Mermaid.  This spellbinding tale blends mermaid mythology, historical fiction and time travel in one satisfying book. Hoopla audiobook.

Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods – Rick Riordan – Fan of the Percy Jackson will gobble up this entertaining tome on the backstories of several Greek gods. Hoopla ebook and Libby audiobook

The Scorpio Races – Maggie Stiefvater – Original story about mythical water horses, a boy, a girl and the dangerous stakes of the Scorpio Races.  Beautiful and lyrical writing make this a captivating read! Hoopla audiobook

 

The Belles – Dhonielle Clayton – Most people want to feel beautiful or attractive, but in the land of Orleans, beauty is the upmost virtue. Leads to interesting conversation on the importance of appearance in culture. Hoopla ebook and audiobook.  Sequel – The Everlasting Rose Hoopla ebook and audiobook

 

Children of Blood and Bone – Tomi Adeyemi – Refreshing, diverse take on the fantasy genre based on African elements.  Libby audiobook Sequel: Children of Virtue and Vengeance Libby audiobook.

Dread Nation – Justina Ireland – This genre crossing book blends historical fiction, fantasy and horror.  Two girls set out to keep Reconstruction Era Baltimore safe from zombies. Hoopla ebook and audiobook and Libby audiobook Sequel: Deathless Divide (Hoopla and Libby audiobook)

An Ember in the Ashes – Sabaa Tahir – Focuses on the harsh reality of a Roman empire inspired world and the desperate decisions that three young people must make that affect their future.  Libby ebook and audiobook Sequels: A Torch Against the Night (Libby ebook and audiobook) and A Reaper at the Gates (Libby audiobook)

My Plain Jane - Cynthia Hand – This is Jane Eyre with a supernatural twist.  Fans of fantasy, historical fiction and classic novels will love this book! Hoopla and Libby audiobook

 

Keeping It Real – YA Realistic Fiction

Asking for It – by Louise O’Neill – Mature and sobering take on the reality and effects of sexual assault.  At times a difficult read, this book contributes to the #MeToo movement.  Hoopla audiobook.

 

The Fault in Our Stars – John Green – Another terrific John Green novel with well - read teenagers.  This time the teenagers grapple with cancer. Libby ebook

I Have Lost My Way – Gayle Forman – This book explores a day in the life of three young people from various walks of life who meet by coincidence in NYC. Libby ebook and audiobook

Okay for Now – Gary D. Schmidt – Coming of age novel about a boy moving to a new school.  The writing and attention to detail make a common story seem fresh and new. Libby ebook

Rotters – Daniel Kraus – This book has classic elements of horror – graves, cemeteries and descriptive passages about dead bodies.  Fiction fans will love this well written story ultimately about a father/son relationship. Libby ebook

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares – Four teenage girls embark on different journeys during one summer with the magical pants bringing luck. Sequels: The Second Summer of the Sisterhood, Girls in Pants, Forever in Blue and Sisterhood Everlasting Series available in Libby ebook and audiobook

Sadie – Courtney Summers – True crime lovers will rave about this book.  The award- winning audiobook is produced just like a podcast.  Don’t overlook this one! Hoopla and Libby audiobook

Turtles All the Way Down – John Green – This book explores friendship, love and relationships when you have a mental illness. In traditional John Green fashion, the dialogue is superb. Libby ebook and audiobook

 

 

Dear Martin – Nic Stone – Fans of The Hate U Give will enjoy this book set from a teenage guy’s point of view. Libby ebook and audiobook

Ghetto Cowboy – G. Neri – This is a mashup of city boy in the country with an inner-city kid learning about horses and finding purpose in life. Libby ebook

The Hate U Give – Angie Thomas – Read the YA book that started a conversation on social justice. Powerful and influential, this novel leaves an impression.  Libby audiobook

The Poet X – Elizabeth Acevedo – This novel in verse explores family, love and religion in a refreshing way. Hoopla ebook and audiobook and Libby audiobook

The Sun is Also a Star – Nicola Yoon – Romance blooms between a logical, scientific girl and a medical school bound poet. Libby ebook and audiobook

Tyler Johnson Was Here - Jay Coles – Another book inspired by The Hate U Give, but this book is from the guy’s point of view. Libby audiobook

 

 

 

 

Nonfiction and Sci-Fi Pics from Ms. Eileen

Mystery

A Study in Charlotte - Brittany Cavallaro – Sherlock fans will enjoy this unconventional take on the Sherlock and Watson franchise set in a New England boarding school. Sequels: The Last of August and A Case for Jamie. All available on Hoopla ebook and audiobook.

With Malice – Eileen Cook – A teenage wakes up from her hospital room with no recollection of how she ended up there.  For fans of suspense and thrillers. Hoopla ebook.

 

 

 

Nonfiction

Hey, Kiddo – Jarrett Krosoczka – Authentic, hopeful and at times heartbreaking account of the author’s life growing up with a drug- addicted mom. Hoopla audiobook

 

Science Fiction

The 5th Wave – Rick Yancey – It might be too soon to read about a world where 95% of the population has died from an alien plague, but it you’re willing to try, this is a wild ride. Hoopla audiobook and Libby ebook Sequels: The Infinite Sea (Hoopla audiobook and Libby ebook) and The Last Star

 

 

Cinder – Marissa Meyer – Innovative take on the classic Cinderella story.  Cinder is not a helpless girl waiting for a prince to find her.  She is a cyborg mechanic. Libby ebook and audiobook Sequels: Scarlet (Libby ebook and audiobook), Cress, (Libby ebook and audiobook), Winter (Libby audiobook) and Fairest

 

 

A Long, Long Time Ago - Ms. Eileen’s Historical Fiction Faves

Anna and the Swallow Man – Gavriel Savit – Haunting and lyrical WWII book about a young girl lead to safety by a mysterious man. Libby ebook

Bloody Jack - L.A. Meyer - High Adventure ensues in this spirited tale of Jacky Faber, a female pirate disguised as a boy. Libby audiobook Sequel: Curse of the Blue Tattoo, part of a twelve book series, all available on Hoopla ebook and audiobook

 

 

Orphan Monster Spy – Matt Killeen – WWII novel about a Jewish girl who poses as a spy at the German Girls boarding school. Libby audiobook

The Pox Party – M.T. Anderson – Revolution War novel about scientists conducting unethical experiments. Hoopla and Libby ebook - Sequel: The Kingdom on the Waves - Hoopla ebook

Walk on Earth a Stranger – Rae Carson – This novel gives a twist to the traditional western.  The main character can sense gold, which is a plus since it’s 1849!  Sequels: Like a River Glorious and Into the Bright Unknown – Trilogy available on Hoopla ebook and audiobook