Crownchasersby Rebecca Coffindaffer; narrated by Reba Buhr Harper Audio Release date: September 29, 2020 ISBN: 9780063033160
Alyssa Farshot is happy to be removed from the intrigues of the star system empire her Uncle Astar governs. Her adventuring is cut short when his husband, Alyssa’s Uncle Charley, contacts her with the urgent message that the emperor is dying, Rather than naming Alyssa his successor, he initiates a crownchase–a contest that will involve all of the prime families’ named heirs in a interplanetary scavenger hunt with potentially deadly consequences but a payoff of the wealth and political power that comes with being named emperor.
Click here to see all of the current Best Fiction for Young Adults nominees along with more information about the list and past years’ selections.
Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff Knopf Books for Young Readers / Random House Publication Date: May 7, 2019 ISBN: 978-1524720964
In 2380, Tyler Jones, graduating cadet of Aurora Academy, rescues Aurora, a girl who has been in cryo-sleep for over 200 years and wakes with new, mysterious powers. Along with a squad of misfits from Aurora Academy, they go on a mission to uncover the truth about Aurora and what happened to Octavia, the colony Aurora had been heading to over 200 years ago.
Click hereto see all of the current Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers nominees along with more information about the list and past years’ selections.
This is our last post of the year, so please excuse the length, we wanted to fit them all in!
XL by Scott Brown Alfred A. Knopf Publication Date: March 26, 2019 ISBN: 978-1524766245 The morning of his sixteenth birthday, four foot and eleven inches tall Will wishes for two things: a girlfriend and to be taller. After he chickens out of telling his good friend Monica how he really feels, he sees his best friend/step brother kissing her. However, one of his wishes does come true: he starts growing and doesn’t stop. As Will’s life begins to change, he soon realizes that your character matters more than your height. The concept of the story was unique and told in an interesting way. The plot moves quickly. All of the characters are well-developed and well-rounded. The relationship drama, risk-taking and a little bit of humor make this an engaging read for reluctant readers. Readers of Rainbow Rowell and John Greenwill enjoy this fun quick read. It will also appeal to those who enjoyed the slight magical realism of The Opposite of Always by Justin Reynolds. –Elizabeth Nebeker
Click here to see all of the current Amazing Audiobooks nominees along with more information about the list and past years’ selections.
Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton; Narrated by Robert Petkoff Grand Central Publishing / Hachette Audio Publication Date: August 6, 2019 ISBN: 978-1549182099
Salty and potty-mouthed, this hilarious apocalyptic tale is narrated by S.T., a domesticated crow whose understanding of the human world comes from watching television with his “MoFo” human companion, Big Jim. Set in Seattle, Washington, S.T. watches as a sickness is coming over the humans turning them into zombies, and it falls on this unlikely chosen one to save the world for all animal kind.
It’s a broad category, but outer space adventure is a defining part of science fiction – both on screen and in YA literature. From Gravity (2013) and Interstellar (2014) to next month’s hotly anticipated The Martian (out October 2!), space travel seems to be just about everywhere.
Between explanations of technology and complex new worlds, science fiction centered around space travel can sometimes be a little heavy for the casual reader. Have no fear, though – YA books are the perfect entry point if you’re new to the genre. Usually combining a fast pace with a compelling story, there’s a science fiction book for everyone.
As you probably know, the television reboot of the My Little Pony franchise (Friendship Is Magic) has managed to find an older audience than the elementary school-aged girls one would have expected. As a regular viewer of the show and frequent YA reader, I thought it would be fun to take a look at what titles the ponies would read in their free time.
One thing I really like about the show is that it has a strong pro-female message. The show presents female characters who routinely solve problems by conducting research, reaching out to friends, and finding strength within themselves. In addition to encountering magical Big Bads, the ponies encounter real world problems such as bullying, low self-esteem, over-committing, and being too proud to ask for help. Because of this theme, I have selected books with female protagonists for all of the characters.
Today, I am focusing on three of the main six ponies: Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity.
from deviantart user shapeshifter95
Twilight Sparkle
When Friendship Is Magic began, Twilight Sparkle was sent to Ponyville to learn the value of having friends. She was the best student studying under the Princess, but she missing a social component in her education. Twilight lives in a tree-house library, surrounded by books and often encourages research when faced with trouble. However, Twilight is also a unicorn and, therefore, magical. She must find balance between magic, research, and friendship to ultimate solve her problems.
I think that Twilight Sparkle would enjoy The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson (2012 Morris Award Finalist, 2012 Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults) which is the story of Elisa, a princess and the Chosen One. Married off to a king whose people need her to save them, Elisa lives in a world of magic. She must fight to live long enough to save the people who need her, while avoiding those who hunt her for her power. Twilight has recently become a princess herself and has been forced to save all of Equestria on more than one occasion.
Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton; Narrated by Robert Petkoff
I think that Twilight Sparkle would enjoy The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson (