Tag: Melissa Palmer

Best Fiction for Young Adults (#BFYA2027) Featured Review: The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer

Mallory has a long line of witches in her family line but her magical power is conning people out of their money on tours of Bluebeard’s house. But then Bluebeard’s heir Armand brings Mallory and her sister to his home to get rid of the ghosts, including Bluebeard’s. But are the ghosts killing people or is it someone who is alive doing the murdering?

This book has a twisty turny mystery that will keep readers engaging. It includes elements of mystery as well as romance and fantasy. The book is fast paced and well written.  Characters are well developed and multi-layered. The main character, Mallory, is intelligent, courageous and resourceful.

Readers who enjoy a good mystery with a romantic element will enjoy this book. The pacing of the book, while on the longish side, will make it appeal to both strong readers as well as striving readers. Fans of romantasy books will enjoy this one.

This book will appeal to fans of Meyer’s other series. Fans of Sasha Peyton Smith and Catherine Doyle books will enjoy this one too.

–Melissa Palmer

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Best Fiction for Young Adults (#BFYA2026) Featured Review: When Devils Sing by Xan Kaur

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  • When Devils Sing
  • by Xan Kaur
  • Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
  • Release date: May 27th, 2025
  • ISBN: 9781250357175

Southern lore plays a huge role in this gothic horror book. Every 13 years, the cicadas descend on Carrion. Along with that, some townsperson go missing. Legend has it that the devil walks among them, offering deals to those most vulnerable. But the cost of these deals can be huge…and painful.

The lore of the south is complex and interesting. The consequences of our actions is a strong, prevailing theme throughout this book. It is a mix of gothic horror and lore and realistic issues (abuse, poverty) that teens face.

Readers interested in southern horror will love this book. This book will appeal to readers of They Bloom At Night and She is a Haunting. Readers who want the setting to act as a character in the book will gravitate to this book

– Melissa Palmer

Best Fiction for Young Adults (#BFYA2026) Featured Review: Up in Smoke by Nick Brooks

After a young man is killed by a police officer after allegedly stealing, a peaceful protest in the local neighborhood takes place. Uncomfortable at the thought, Cooper accompanies his “big brother” Jason and other friends to loot some of the local stores. A woman is shot and killed and Jason is the prime suspect.

This fast paced mystery will keep readers hooked. Additionally, readers will relate to Cooper’s guilt over keeping secrets from his father, his friends and his crush. This book also has a social justice component that will appeal to readers. It is a reasonable length and will appeal to reluctant readers.

Fans of the author’s work Promise Boys as well as readers who enjoy a mystery mixed with social justice themes will enjoy this book. This book will appeal to fans of Nic Stone as well as Angie Thomas and Jason Reynolds.

– Melissa Palmer

The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.

Each week, the teams feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation are listed as well. At year’s end, the team will curate a final list from all nominated titles and select a Top Ten.
The Best Fiction for Young Adults Committee appreciates teen feedback as members evaluate the nominated titles. Teen librarians are encouraged to share the List of Potential Nominees under consideration with their patrons and solicit feedback using the link: tinyurl.com/bfya2026

Check out The Hub Advisory Board’s Interview with Nick Brooks

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Best Fiction for Young Adults (#BFYA2026) Featured Review: Dear Manny by Nic Stone

  • Dear Manny
  • by Nic Stone
  • Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
  • Release date: March 4th, 2025
  • ISBN: 978593308035

Third in the Dear Martin series, this installment focuses on Jared, the rich white boy, and his struggle to find his way in life while dealing with family traditions and expectations. He hopes to find a person he likes being at the end of the struggle. Jared’s dad is pressuring him to make decisions that will align with the family legacy but Jared is not sure if that is something he wants to uphold. Along the way, he begins to have strong feelings for Dylan, his political opponent. Needless to say, this is not what his father is looking for from him. If that is not enough to keep them apart, the host of obstacles that they need to overcome might be.

Complex characters like Jared (not just a rich white kid) and Dylan (feisty and confident) will keep readers engaged. Jared’s evolution from spoiled to aware of his white privilege will keep readers interested. Familiar characters like Justyce and SJ will make readers of the first two books smile to see them again. John Preston IV is a character that readers will root against. Dear Manny continues Nic Stone’s pattern of rallying against a system that allows injustices to happen on a daily basis. The plot moves at a rapid pace, which will increase reader appeal. The theme of equality for diverse members of our people is supported well by characters that readers will connect to, feel empathy for or be concerned about.

Teens interested in books about social justice, making the world a better place and having a strong sense of right vs wrong will enjoy this book. This will appeal to fans of the previous two books in the series, as well as those who are fans of authors such as Angie Thomas and Jason Reynolds. It also will hold up well as a stand alone book.

– Melissa Palmer

The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.

Each week, the teams feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation are listed as well. At year’s end, the team will curate a final list from all nominated titles and select a Top Ten.
The Best Fiction for Young Adults Committee appreciates teen feedback as members evaluate the nominated titles. Teen librarians are encouraged to share the List of Potential Nominees under consideration with their patrons and solicit feedback using the link: tinyurl.com/bfya2026