Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

A book review by Madeline Soucie

Taking place in the '80s, Eleanor & Park is about two high school students who both stand out and as a result become an unlikely couple. It's a sweet story.

     

Eleanor's new to the high school. She's big and has crazy, unruly red hair. Plus she doesn't try to fit in -- she dresses outside the norm.

     

Park is Asian and isn't quite at the bottom of the social ladder where he gets picked on so survives when others are targeted instead of him.

     

When Eleanor needs a seat on the bus and the only one available is Park's, the two will slowly bond over comic books and music and come  to share a love story neither thought they'd be able to have.

Find it in APL TEEN Fiction YA FIC Rowell, R.

Trust Me, I'm Lying by Mary Elizabeth Summer

A book review by Madeline Soucie

Julep Dupree is a con artist. It's how she pays her tuition at St. Agatha's, the private school she attends. She runs little jobs for the students.

       

When she comes home one day to a trashed apartment and her father missing, things take a turn for the worst. Add to her stress, Tyler Richland -- a senior and the guy every girl wants.  Tyler takes an interest in Julep and wants to help her in any way possible. Following a trail of secrets and clues and stalkers won't be easy, but when is life ever easy.

       

Julep will soon find that she may be in over her head this time and that no amount of tricks will help her.

Find it in APL TEEN New Books YA FIC Summer, M.

I Am Number Four by Piticus Lore

A book review by Kat Seevers

My favorite thing about this book was John. This novel was particularly good at creating a male that was both authentic and likable. Through his perspective we got to see how earth compared to his home planet. I liked that he didn't back down to bullying but was also sweet and devoted to Sarah. The combination of a sense of responsibility and his willingness to be a kid really made his character pop. 

I Am Number Four is stuffed with originality from the different type of legacies, the way the charms work, how the deaths are burned into their legs to the evil races hunting down the Numbers. This was definitely a page turner for me!

This is the first book in the Lorien Legacies.

Find it in APL Teen Fiction YA FIC Lore, P.