Tag: paranormal

Best Fiction for Young Adults (#BFYA2026) Featured Review: Ruin Road by Lamar Giles

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  • Ruin Road
  • by Lamar Giles
  • Publisher: Scholastic Press
  • Release date: September 17th, 2024
  • ISBN: 9781338894134

Cade Webster lives for family and football. A star athlete at an elite prep school he attends on scholarship, Cade’s mission is to stay focused, land an NFL contract, and support his struggling family, especially his terminally ill father. But after a terrifying encounter with the police, Cade stumbles into a shady pawn shop and makes a desperate wish: for people to stop being afraid of him. To his shock, the wish comes true, with terrifying consequences.

With an intensifying tone of dread, Giles delivers a thought-provoking and emotional narrative. The story’s complex protagonist grapples with morality, grief, and racial bias, offering a character-driven exploration of identity and consequence. The blending of supernatural horror with social commentary gives the novel a compelling style that will appeal to teens who appreciate issue-oriented fiction and suspense.

Teens drawn to fast-paced, atmospheric stories with social commentary will find this novel gripping and thought-provoking. Perfect for fans of Burn Down, Rise Up by Vincent Tirado and The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson

–Cathy DeCampli

Be sure to check out The Hub’s interview with Lamar Giles!

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

Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers (#QP2026) Feature Review: Deadstream by Mar Romansco-Moore

  • Deadstream
  • by Mar Romasco-Moore
  • Viking Books for Young Readers / Penguin Random House
  • Publication Date: April 1, 2025
  • ISBN: 9780593691885


Teresa has been trapped in her bedroom because of panic attacks resulting from a car accident that she survived and her best friend did not. Finding her place online as a streamer has given her friends, purpose, and a refuge from her anxiety – until she witnesses a bizarre incident online. Teresa investigates, the phenomenon spreads, and she becomes the next target.

Readers are immediately pulled into the online action, questioning whether a creepy figure appearing online and prompting streamers to “open the door” is a psychological, physical, or supernatural phenomenon. The text is interspersed with chat logs, text messages, video descriptions, and screenshots, providing an easily readable and digestible format.

Teen readers who are looking for lots of dialogue and a gripping suspense story will appreciate this title. This is a strong thriller with plenty of mystery and horror moments throughout. Deadstream is comparable to other YA techno-horror titles like Such Lovely Skin by Tatiana Schlote-Bonne and The Glare by Margot Harrison.

–Emily Williams

Best Fiction for Young Adults (#BFYA2026) Featured Review: The Unfinished by Cheryl Isaacs

Avery had always been warned never to stray from the trails in the forest surrounding her quiet town. But one jog leads her deeper into the woods and to a hidden black water pond that seems to call to her. From that day forward, Avery is plagued by eerie visions of brackish water, ghostly whispers, and shadowy figures lurking just out of sight. When locals begin to vanish without explanation, she realizes that the stories about dark forces in the forest may be more than just legends. After her best friend disappears, Avery must face the ancient evil she unknowingly unleashed.

Isaacs skillfully builds tension through a series of menacing encounters that escalate in intensity, culminating in the book’s climax. Avery’s estrangement from her Indigenous roots leaves her feeling adrift and ill-equipped to confront the forces of the lake. Themes of identity and secrecy weave through the narrative and well developed supporting characters round out the story.

The Unfinished is an easy sell for readers who enjoy dark, moody suspense with a supernatural twist. Perfect for fans of House of Ash and Bone by Joel A. Sutherland and What the Woods Took by Courtney Gould.

– Cathy DeCampli

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

Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers (#QP2026) Feature Review: Honeysuckle and Bone by Trisha Tobias


Carina Marshall desperately needs a new start. She takes a job as an au pair in Jamaica, hoping to escape the vicious rumors about her at home while also learning more about her family’s homeland. She soon finds herself living in the mysterious mansion of a prestigious local family and making friends with the young staff who keep the place running. Determined to uncover the secrets of Blackbead House, Carina gets the feeling that someone or something doesn’t want her there. Can she uncover the Halls’ family secrets without revealing her own?

This spooky gothic mystery will draw readers in with teases of secrets which are gradually revealed. Carina acts as an intermediary between the wealthy Halls family and the workers, underscoring disparities between the working class and the ruling elite. When Carina finds herself falling hard for the handsome groundskeeper, she might have to finally come clean about the skeletons in her own closet. Tension builds throughout the book, propelling readers to an explosive plot twist at the end.

Give this book to teens who enjoy creepy, atmospheric stories about haunted houses and family secrets. Similar titles include She is a Haunting by Trang Thanh Tran,  Flawless Girls by Anna-Marie McLemore, and All The Dead Lie Down by Kyrie McCauley.

-Lily M.

Check out our Summerween Post on Honeysuckle and Bone! Click below!

Summerween: Honeysuckle and Bone by Trisha Tobias

Summerween, the celebration of Halloween during the summer months, is upon us! Join us as we highlight horror books that will tide over teen readers until the official spooky season begins.

Carina Marshall finally gets the chance to visit Jamaica, her mother’s birthplace, as an au pair for the ridiculously wealthy Hall family. At Blackbead House, the Hall family’s mansion, Carina meets the other young adult workers who quickly become her constant companions throughout the summer along with her young charges, Luis and Jada Hall. While attending decadent parties with the Halls and exploring the monstrous Blackbead House, Carina experiences a new and exciting side of life, one that she only briefly glimpsed with her best friend back in New York. Underneath the glitz and glamour, however, is a dark presence that haunts Carina. She doesn’t know what it is or why this is happening to her; all she knows is that the presence wants Carina to leave Blackbead and Jamaica forever.

Carina is a compelling character throughout the story, dealing with an exciting new crush on top of the horrors back home and at Blackbead House. Though Carina is running away from a troubled past in New York, she is experiencing a new part of the world for the first time as well as the joys of her heritage in Jamaican culture. She draws the reader close as she figures out her life, coming to terms with her past, while simultaneously turning the story upside down as each secret is unveiled. Tobias weaves a thrilling tale, carefully revealing twists and turns as soon as you think you have the story figured out. Part horrific ghost story, part coming of age in the midst of trauma, Honeysuckle and Bone draws you in with scares but keeps you hooked with heart.  

Fans of Trang Thanh Tran’s She Is a Haunting and Mike Flanagan’s The Haunting of Bly Manor tv series will find similar haunts and thrills in Honeysuckle and Bone.    

-Emery Courtney     

Get into the Summerween Spirit: Visuals, Displays, and More!

Check out Honeysuckle and Bone in the News

Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers (#QP2026) Featured Review: The Corruption of Hollis Brown by Ancrum

Hollis Brown is desperate. He is stuck in a dying town with no community and no prospects. That’s why he makes a deal with a stranger at the crossroads… It seems innocent enough; he shelters the stranger, and the stranger helps him make something of himself. Little does he know, the shelter the stranger asks for is in his own head. Abruptly, he finds himself unable to control his body and is talking to a spirit named Walt, who has taken up residence in his head. He has to fix this, and the only way he can is to help Walt put things from Walt’s past to rest and get Walt out of his head for good. There’s only one problem: the more Hollis gets to know Walt, the more he falls for him. He can tell that Walt feels the same. Will they be able to put things right without losing themselves (and each other) in the process?

Readers will come to this book for the eye-catching cover and leave feeling transformed. This short yet beautifully told story is a haunting story of willpower, surprising romance, and a little humor. Though it starts as a ghost story, the ultimate result is a story of connection and redemption with a few surprises that keep readers hooked every step of the way. 

This book is perfect for teens who are not ready for grisly horror stories but still want something a little spooky. The horror elements are not too scary, and the love story is just weird enough to appeal to those who want it to feel edgy without crossing the boundary into the horrifying. The style of the book is reminiscent of The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. It is great for fans of The Umbrella Academy and Supernatural.

–Josie Snow

Great Graphic Novels (#GGN2026) Featured Review: Hunger’s Bite by Taylor Robin

Neeta Pandey and her best friend Emery Botwright are guessing the lives of embarking passengers on the SS Lark, the luxury cruise liner that they live on along with Neeta’s brother, Aamir. All appears normal, except for a mysterious, handsome new passenger and the Lark’s creepy new owner, Mr. Honeycutt (nicknamed Mr. Moneycutt by Aamir). When Neeta visits her brother and other crew members, she begins to worry that the crew is being worked to death. The handsome new passenger, Warwick Farley, is also interested in the behind-the-scenes happenings, and joins forces with Neeta to discover the truth of what is affecting the crew. They also find they rather enjoy each other’s company. Too bad Emery also has a crush on Neeta and is falling under the spell of Mr. Honeycutt.

Told in vibrant hues of red, orange, purple and green, Hunger’s Bite tackles tough topics like greed, consumption, and capitalism in a fun page-turner. Robin, both the author and artist, uses visual cues like strong facial expressions and multi-size panels masterfully to help readers focus on the most important plot points and help them connect with the overall themes. Teen readers will also enjoy the light romantic elements, a strong female protagonist, and subtle nods to the Titanic disaster. This is a title that most readers will be able to find something to engage with and have fun along the way.

Fans of supernatural, horror tinged graphic novels will enjoy this fast-paced mystery while readers interested in social commentary will appreciate Robin’s takedown of modern day capitalism. Pairs well with the graphic novel, The Cargo Rebellion and The Hunger Games series.

-Suzan Alteri


Best Fiction for Young Adults (#BFYA2026) Featured Review: A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya

Carolina, a vampiro hunter, and Lalo, a vampiro, alternate telling this story of tracing familial histories to determine who was the very first vampiro and how they can put a stop to the monsters who continue to create more. While they are supposed to fear each other, their natural chemistry creates some challenges in this pursuit.

These characters have excellent banter and angst. They are loyal to their own families which makes partnering up for this cause to be a challenge. This story has authentic characters, strong personalities and culture that makes for a different perspective of the traditional vampire trope.

Romantasy readers and those interested in the resurgence of the vampire genre will enjoy A Cruel Thirst. Comparable titles for this book include Dagger and the Flame by Catherine Doyle, Heir by Sabaa Tahir, and The Wild Huntress by Emily Lloyd-Jones.

– Jessica Lorentz Smith

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

Best Fiction for Young Adults (#BFYA2025) Featured Review: A Place for Vanishing by Ann Fraistat

Libby is feeling fragile after her recent bipolar III diagnosis and suicide attempt when she moves with her mom and sister to a large Victorian mansion with macabre stained glass windows and odd bug-shaped masks. The house has been the source of several disappearances over decades, and before long, Libby begins to uncover its sinister intentions.

This horror novel tackles mental illness in a nuanced way as it explores the aftermath of Libby’s suicide attempt. It takes a unique approach to a haunted house with the bug-themed spirits, crafting a narrative that keeps the reader in suspense as the masks gain power.

This is a great pick for teens looking for their next horror read, especially if they love ghosts. Teens who enjoyed the nature-focused horrors in Primal Animals by Julia Lynn Rubin and She Is a Haunting by Trang Thanh Tran will love the bugs in this book. 

– Kameron Morton

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: https://bit.ly/BFYA25TeenFB

Best Fiction for Young Adults (#BFYA2025) Featured Review: A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal

Arthie Casimir is a tea room proprietor–and she’s also a criminal. Her tearoom, Spindrift, turns into an illegal speakeasy catering to the underground vampire society every night. When her tearoom is shut down by the mysterious king, Arthie and her ragtag group of friends conspire to break into the Ram’s lair and hopefully overthrow the secretive and corrupt monarchy. But when someone in their inner circle betrays them, Arthie and her friends find more than Spindrift at stake.  This engrossing fantasy is a world completely of its own, but with very familiar issues including colonialism, corruption and trafficking. 

Some books are meant to be devoured and others savored. A Tempest of Tea starts out as a book to savor slowly in the beginning–Faizal’s immersive writing style crafts rich and beautiful world-building. Halfway through the plot really comes together and the pages start to fly as readers start to devour this book. The characters are dynamic and each of the three main characters have distinct voices and backstories. This is also a rare YA fantasy in that it is fewer than 400 pages,  and while the world is uniquely it’s own, it bears enough of a resemblance to our world that it’s accessible for non-fantasy readers. Teens who enjoy political themes, vintage horror, or historical fiction will also find much to enjoy. This is one of those rare books that librarians can pitch four different ways to four different readers and each would enjoy it for different reasons. Tempest is the first in a duology and it really feels like the first arc of the story. Readers are left on a cliff-hanger ending with many theories to discuss while they wait for book two.  

Teens who enjoy vintage horror (vampires and zombies), historical fiction, magical realism, or political intrigue stories will all enjoy this.  Fans of Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo and Only a Monster by Vanessa Len will enjoy this one.

– Megan Nigh

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: https://bit.ly/BFYA25TeenFB