So Much It Hurts by Monique Polak
Summary: Cast as Ophelia in her school play, seventeen year-old Iris follows in Ophelia’s shoes when she falls for a man who is fourteen years her senior. Taken in by his attentions to her, Iris finds herself thankful that such a man would be attracted to her. What she doesn’t see at first is that the longer their relationship continues, the more isolated she becomes from her family and friends. When Mick’s uncontrollable anger turns violent, Iris takes the blame for his actions on herself, becoming smaller and smaller to avoid further outbursts. Eventually she finds...
Read MoreThe Saver by Edeet Ravel
Summary: 17 year-old Fern reacts to her mother’s sudden death by trying to take control of her life. Remembering something her fourth grade teacher said about being able to save a million dollars in about fifteen years by cutting out major expenses like rent and food, Fern attempts to do just that. She takes a job as a janitor in apartment building for free rent and utilities, and finds other jobs to help her out with food and making money. Fern pours out her heart about her experiences in letters to an imaginary, alien friend named Xanoth, wishing that her world could be more like the...
Read MoreRough Magic by Caryl Cude Mullin
Summary: When Sycorax discovers at an early age that she is a magical prodigy, she uses her powers to protect her father’s kingdom as she grows. Soon though she begins to crave more power, but a miscalculation in her plans leaves her stranded on a magical island about to give birth. Sycorax extracts the magic from the island for herself, but ends up leaving her son Caliban all alone after harnessing the power eventually kills her. Caliban lives by himself on the mysterious island until one day Prospero and his daughter Miranda arrive, and getting to know them will affect the rest of...
Read MoreRhythm 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 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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