Rhythm and Blues by Jill Murray
Summary: Alya is part of a b-girl group when she is approached with a life-changing offer to be a part of a new singing group called EnChantay. But even though everyone encourages her to jump at the opportunity and the group itself is full of potential, Alya quickly learns that being in show business requires huge sacrifices and isn’t all it seems to be. Interactions with a fellow EnChantay group member help Alya clarify what she really wants from life, but working up the courage to be true to herself takes reflection, time and a certain amount of guts. Number of Pages: 219 Age Range:...
Read MorePop by Gordon Korman
Summary: While exploring the new town he and his mother have moved to after his parents’ divorce, Marcus meets a mysterious man named Charlie who joins in his football practice and teaches him about true love of the game. During their encounters Marcus realises that Charlie’s memory is patchy, and eventually he learns that Charlie is an ex-NFL player whose stellar career has taken a very personal toll, leaving him with early onset Alzheimer’s. Their friendship helps Marcus adjust to living in a new place, and gives him new confidence in the way he plays football....
Read MoreThe Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci
Summary: After Jane is caught in terrorist attack on Metro City, she can’t go back to being the person she was before. Her parents move her out of the city and she draws inspiration from a sketchbook she picked up from a man in a coma after the attack. With a new haircut and a new perspective, Jane seeks out other outcasts in her new school even when the popular crowd approaches her to join them. Together they perform random acts of art around town, stirring things up and encouraging people to take a closer look at their surroundings. Number of Pages: 147 Age Range: 13-15 Review: I...
Read MorePieces of Me by Charlotte Gingras
Summary: Mirabelle is nearly fifteen and living with her mother since her father left. Dealing with her mother’s social anxiety and paranoia on her own, Mira (as she prefers to be called) is isolated and lonely until she makes a friend in her art class at school. Mira is used to being letdown by the people she loves, and her quest for the security she missed out in her father/daughter relationship leads her to make some poor choices. When tragedy strikes, her fragile hold on her life is greatly shaken. Fortunately, Mira now has people in her life who won’t let her down and are...
Read MoreMillions for a Song by Andre Vanasse
Summary: Alex and his garage band Nexxtep grow quickly in popularity in their neighbourhood until they have their own concert. After the concert, a man named Tom Paradis approaches the band to offer to be their manager, and they sign a contract with him that appears to be legitimate, but the truth is they are minors that don’t know what they are doing. Their lack of knowledge leads them to get burned badly by Mr. Paradis, but the band is determined to fight back for what is rightfully theirs. Number of Pages: 93 Age Range: 13-14 Review: Millions for a Song is a fun read if you...
Read MoreAbout Amy
Amy Mathers has been passionate about reading from a very young age, and hopes others will share her enthusiasm for funding a teen book award. Read more Follow Amy
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