"The Disenchantments" by Nina LaCour

“We felt so small with the city lights stretching forever below us, and we yelled at the top of our lungs because we were just these small humans but we felt more longing than could ever fit inside us.”

Colby and Bev have made plans to travel to Europe after graduating from high school. College can wait for a year, exploring the world and doing their own thing is more important. Bev is the lead singer of a band with her girlfriends Alexa and Meg. They call themselves the Disenchantments. They are super loud, somewhat talented and love to rock out and get crazy.

The band decides to embark on an epic road trip for a west coast tour before Colby and Bev leave for their trip. Colby borrows his uncle’s beloved VW van, named Melinda, and they hit the road, ready for adventure. But when Bev confesses she got accepted, and is going to college, Colby is left heartbroken, and without a plan for his future. Colby has been in love with Bev for years, but their relationship has never gone beyond friendship.

Without Bev in his future, Colby must find his own personality and rely on his own strengths to empower himself. In the meantime, he's busy playing stagehand to the band, and the token male in their artistic collaboration. The excitment of the road trip, the thrill of live music and the reality of high school graduation all come together to make the Disenchantments an enjoyable ride.

LaCour's characters are honest, powerful and on the cusp on adulthood, embracing what life experiences have to offer them. Some f-bombs, sexual situations, some alcohol, probably best for 8th and up. Highly recommended.

"The Summer I Learned to Fly" by Dana Reinhardt

Drew is 13 years old, and kind of a loner. Her dad died from a heart problem when she was younger, so she's always lived with her mom. They get along pretty well, and Drew helps out in her mom's gourmet cheese shop after school and on weekends. There's this guy Nick who works at the cheese shop, and Drew has a mad crush on him and his ability to make beautiful pasta. But Nick's older and not interested in middle school girls. Drew always puts the extra cheeses and breads in the alley behind the store, and it always magically disappears by morning. One night she meets a boy, Emmett, and she quickly develops another crush. The writing in this book is beautiful and it's an honest, coming-of-age story of a young girl finding her place in the world.

"The Summer I Turned Pretty" by Jenny Han

As long as she can remember, Isabel (aka Belly) has spent every summer at the beach. It's always the same people - her mom, her brother Stephen, her mom's best friend Susannah, and Susannah's two sons, Conrad and Jeremiah. Gorgeous beach house, private pool where Belly loves to swim, and the leisurely pace of summer vacation. Belly's grown up with Conrad and Jeremiah, but the summer she turns 16, things get complicated. Jeremiah obviously has a crush on Belly, but Belly is into Conrad, who doesn't have the same feelings. Belly meets Cam at a beach bonfire and a relationship blossoms. What happens when summer is over and everyone goes home? Belly is surrounded by boys, but struggles with her emotions, why does love have to be so hard?

"Flipped" by Wendelin Van Draanen

Juli's got a big time crush on Bryce. Bryce is totally not interested.

Juli tends to live in her own universe, growing chickens, saving the planet, and speaking her mind.

Bryce falls in with the popular kids, follows their advice and tries to avoid Juli at all times.

It doesn't help things that Bryce and Juli have lived across the street from each other since the 2nd grade.

This book is one of my favorites, told in alternating chapters from both Juli and Bryce's perspective on the situation.

Someone is about to change their mind, and *flip* their thinking. Who's it going to be, and will they end up dating? Curious minds want to find out!

"Skim" by Mariko Tamaki

Skim, a.k.a. Kim, struggles to fit in at her private Catholic high school. Skim and her best friend Lisa are considered goth, spending their free time on Wicca, tarot cards, smoking and hanging out in coffee shops. Drama teacher Ms. Archer becomes an infatuation for Skim, making her question her crush and her own sexuality. When a classmate commits suicide, Skim finds herself befriending his popular ex-girlfriend. She discovers grief is universal and most teenagers yearn for acceptance. Mariko's cousin, Jillian Tamaki, superbly illustrates Skim's depressive state in her wispy pencil lines and muted calligraphy.

"Life Sucks" by Jessica Abel

Life really sucks for Dave. He works nights at an L.A. convenience store. Years ago, his boss, Radu, bit Dave and turned him into a vampire - enslaving Dave to an eternity of mean customers and rotating hot dogs. Dave is too much of a wuss to kill his own victims, so he drinks plasma from the blood bank to stay alive. But when creepy vampire Wes goes after Dave's crush, will Dave find the courage to fight for the girl? Super cool illustrations, a great read for any goth vampire.

"Breaking Up Is Hard To Do: Stories About Falling Out of Love" by Niki Burnham, Terri Clark, Ellen Hopkins & Lynda Sandoval

Have you had your heart broken, stomped on, destroyed by someone you love? This book is all about the break-up, the absolutely devastating point at which you realize it's over, and how hard it can be to move on. Four different authors contribute to this unique book - and each one's story is heart wrenching. #1 - Toby gets dumped by his hot girlfriend Amber, because he's not ready for sex. #2 - Goth girl Dee gets revenge on her ex, Rick, after finding out he's only after one thing. #3 - Lisa's boyfriend tries unsuccessfully to change her into something she's not. #4 - Lesbian Mia has her heart broken after falling for a straight girl. Kinda steamy, good for 9th and up.

"Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer

I think I'm the last librarian on the planet to read this book, and it was remarkably better than I was expecting! Bella Swan moves to Forks, Washington and is immediately smitten with Edward Cullen, her gorgeous lab partner, who leads a mysterious life outside of high school. Friends and family warn her that he's bad news and Bella soon discovers for herself that Edward is more dangerous than he seems, and less human. This vampire has stolen Bella's heart and their love story will make you shiver with terror and excitement! "New Moon," "Eclipse" and "Breaking Dawn" continue the story of Bella and Edward, and the movie version of Twilight will be released this November -- can't wait!

"The Ashleys" by Melissa de la Cruz

Miss Gamble's Preparatory School for Girls is one of the most prestigious prep schools in San Francisco. For years, 3 snobby Ashleys have made Lauren's life miserable with teasing and taunting. Even so, Lauren wants desperately to get into their popular clique. Lauren's dad becomes a multi-millionaire and the Ashleys suddenly take notice of Lauren's fashion makeover. Bentleys, Chanel, private jets, chauffeurs -- these girls know how to spend money, and lots of it! Good for 6th grade and up.

"10th Grade" by Joseph Weisberg

Jeremy is in 10th grade and has a pretty normal life. But what's normal for your sophomore year in high school? He plays sports, hangs out with the smokers during lunch, and has a huge crush on the most popular girl in high school, Rene Shopmaker. Jeremy's vivid imagination has Rene falling madly in love with him, and his fellow students ooh-ing and aah-ing at his superior athletic ability and masculine charm. Follow Jeremy as he navigates the social hierarchy of high school and finds his identity as well as a date for prom. Strong language, adult situations, best for upper high school.

"Parrotfish" by Ellen Wittlinger

Angela knows that she's always been a boy, and now it's time to let everyone else know. Angela comes out as a transgendered, changing her name to Grady, cutting her hair, and dressing in male clothing. Grady's new identity suits him well, but people in his life are having a harder time adjusting. Friends at school don't always know the best way to react, and some are outright homophobic and hostile. Grady's family is confused, but supportive, and Grady keeps busy helping his dad with their overboard Christmas decorations and the arrival of his newest cousin. This book is great for building awareness around transgendered issues, and provides valuable resources for any questioning teenagers.

"Re-Gifters" by Mike Carey

Jen Dik Seong (her friends call her "Dixie") is getting ready to enter the biggest hapkido tournament in LA's Koreatown. Dixie is fiesty! Practicing this martial art gives her courage to cope with life in high school. She needs this strength to deal with her traditional parents, her crush, Adam, and some of the rough characters in her neighborhood. A surprise gift makes Dixie realize she is capable of independence and standing up for herself. Girl power!

"Does My Head Look Big in This?" by Randa Abdel-Fattah

Amal attends a highly prestigious prep school in Australia. She comes to the decision to wear the hijab, a Muslim head scarf, as a sign of her religion. How will Amal's friends and family react? This is a great book about friendship, faith, and coming to terms with your personal beliefs. Recommended for grades 7th and up.

"Shug" by Jenny Han

AnneMarie Wilcox (aka Shug) has been neighbors and friends with Mark Findley ever since she can remember. But they're starting middle school this fall, and Shug can sense things are changing. Her friends are talking about boys, her body's doing weird things, and her parents and twittering on the brink of divorce. When did life get so hard?? Shug is forced to tutor Jack, who drives her crazy, and Mark isn't giving her the attention she craves. Shug's older sister Celia is perfect, popular and has boys calling all the time. Will middle-school ever get easier? Recommended for 5-8th grades.