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The Passion of Dolssa by Julie Berry

“The Passion of Dolssa” is set in medieval times. It’s 1241, and the Crusade is trying to rid the world of heretics.  Dolssa and her mother are deemed heretics and sentenced to be executed.  Her mother is executed, but Dolssa manages to escape her sentence and run away.  She flees to the countryside. There, Botille finds her half dead in the woods and takes her in.

Botille and her sisters run a tavern in the seaside town of Bajas.  While running their tavern and trying just to survive alongside their neighbors, they nurse Dolssa back to health.  But they can’t hide Dolssa forever, and the truth of the miracles she has performed starts to spread.  The townsfolk stand behind her, but once the Inquisition comes to town, their good intentions are put to the test.

When I read historical fiction, I usually read books from different time periods, but I was pleasantly surprised by this book.  The story was well-written, and I was drawn into the characters’ lives.  While this is categorized as a YA book, and the writing was age-appropriate, I felt the subject was something that would probably not appeal to most young adults.

- Denise

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Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum

Julie Buxbaum’s YA debut, Tell Me Three Things, may be one of the most popular young adult contemporary reads this year.  We all know what it’s like to have our world turned upside down; that’s exactly what happens to Jessie, our heroine, whose mother dies. Jessie’s father elopes with a woman he met online, leaving her with a step-monster (oh, I meant stepmother). And now Jessie has to attend a super-intimidating Los Angeles prep school, Wood Valley High School, on the other side of the country. Jessie’s new step-monster has a teenage son to top it off, who is not interested in helping her adjust to her new life in the least. 

When Jessie is just about ready to give up and head back to Chicago, she gets help from an anonymous source who calls themselves Somebody/Nobody (SN). SN emails her and offers to be her lifeline at Wood Valley High School.  Is someone out to get Jessie, or can she truly rely on what seems to be her only ally in life?  Will Jessie ever be able to call Los Angeles home?

This is such a funny, relatable book, and a quick read.  Plenty of characters and a great storyline will keep you hooked to the end.  Tell Me Three Things is a definite addition to your shelf this spring. 

- Becky Order in Bibz.

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The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner

It’s hard to find your way when your dad is a Pentecostal minister who insists you handle poisonous rattlesnakes. Dill Early struggles to survive his senior year in the Bible Belt, while grappling with his secret feelings for a fellow outcast. He and his two misfit friends have their own methods for surviving senior year.

But a sudden tragedy soon leaves Dill wondering if his love for music, as well as his secret feelings for Lydia, are enough to see him through these dark days. Dill soon find his own faith, leading to a final confrontation with his devout mother about his shifting beliefs on God and the future that is pulling him away from the home that has long stifled him.

This coming-of-age story shows how the pain of the past need not dictate the long path forward. Dill’s struggle to make it through the school year grows more difficult as his parents pressure him to live by the faith with which they face each day. Dill’s own brand of faith finally gives him the courage to move on.

The Serpent King will resonate with fans of Me, Earl, & the Dying Girl, as well as readers seeking a heartfelt story of overcoming life’s challenges to forge one’s own path.

- Travis

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The Eye of Midnight by Andrew Brumbach

Set in 1929, this fast-paced historical adventure is filled with mystery, intrigue and danger. The main characters are Maxine and William, who are cousins, though they barely remember each other. The young pair, both in their early teens, have just arrived on the doorstep of Battersea Manor, somewhere along the Jersey Shore. They’ve been sent to stay with their grandfather, Colonel Horatius Battersea, at his estate for the summer.

Soon after the cousins’ arrival, their grandfather receives a mysterious telegram. He must quickly get to New York City to retrieve an important package. Not willing to leave Maxine and William behind, he brings them along as he prepares to meet with an unknown courier in possession of the parcel. Before he gets to meet with the courier, the Colonel mysteriously vanishes without a trace.

The cousins make a surprise friend in Nura, a bold and daring girl from Turkey, who just so happens to be the courier their grandfather came to meet. The package she was to deliver was a powerful magical artifact, but the item has been stolen by an unknown thief. The three join forces on a daring adventure to find the missing Colonel Battersea and the magical package. They soon find out they aren’t the only ones who are searching.

There are plenty of cliffhangers and twists of fate as the cousins and their friend tangle with gangsters, bootleggers, and a secret order of assassins, some of whom are intent on taking over the world. This book is a great piece of historical fiction with lots of suspense and adventure.

- Mark

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Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

History jumps off the page and into life with Ruta Sepetys’ latest novel Salt to the Sea.  While there are many stories told of WWII, this is a lesser known tale brought to life at Sepetys’ skillful hand. 

As part of thousands of refugees, we are drawn into the stories of Joana, Emilia, and Florian as they meet on their way to freedom aboard the Wilhelm Gustloff ship.  We are swept along in this action-packed adventure as the unthinkable happens: the Wilhelm Gustloff is attacked by a Russian submarine and sinks.  Joana, Emilia, and Florian each carry their own secrets. They must band together and rely on each other's strength for sheer survival.   

This is a great book to add to your YA collection. It not only sheds light on the worst maritime disaster in ever, it also reveals a generation whose strength and courage is now told primarily through the pages of history as we lose those who fought insurmountable odds to strengthen generations to come. 

- Becky

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Burning Midnight by Will McIntosh

No one knows where the colored spheres came from or how they got here. Apparently they arrived years ago, scattered and hidden all over the planet. One thing that we do know is that holding two matching spheres to one’s temple causes an increase in one’s abilities, skills, or appearance. Depending on the color, “burning” a pair of spheres can give the user whiter teeth, increased height, better memory, and other improvements. Some spheres are rare and give greater results, but these are hard to find — and very valuable.

This story takes place on present day Earth, with the main character being seventeen-year-old David “Sully” Sullivan. Sully once found a rare sphere, but was cheated out of his big payday by unscrupulous millionaire businessman, Alex Holliday. Now Sully struggles just to help his mom pay their rent by selling spheres at the flea market.

One day, Sully meets a girl named Hunter, who has a natural ability for finding spheres. The two pair up and start searching for orbs together. After some mishaps, Sully is ready to give up. The two push on and somehow find a color that has never been seen before — a Gold sphere. This could be worth millions, but no one knows what special abilities it may grant…or where a matching sphere may be.

With the aid of two close friends, Sully and Hunter set off on an adventure to find another Gold sphere to complete the set. But Alex Holliday wants the Gold spheres for himself, and is willing to do whatever it takes to get them. Thus begins a race to see who finds the treasured gems first and eventually we discover what the spheres are really for and the dangers involved with using them. This story was action-packed and imaginative with a lot of relatable context.

- Mark

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The Nine Lives of Jacob Tibbs by Cylin Busby

I love when an author transports a reader to another time and place—which is exactly the case with this tale, told from the perspective of a ship’s cat on the high seas in the 1800s.

Jacob Tibbs, the runt of the litter, is passed over as all of his brothers and sisters find new ship homes.  But luckily he’s inherited hunting skills and weather-sensing abilities from his mother. This makes him an important part of his ship’s crew. We see his sometimes wobbly existence as he navigates the path of growing up — all within the world of a life at sea complete with storms, a shipwreck, and even a mutiny. 

The story is well-balanced and while there is no true villain, there is quite a range of characters and emotions. Kids of all ages will love the story of The Nine Lives of Jacob Tibbs. This will be a great addition to your library for anyone ready to go on an adventure to the high seas.

- Becky

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Anna and the Swallow Man by Gavriel Savit

This book has elements of historical fiction, fairytales, and folklore — all set against a backdrop of war and anguish. It’s 1939 Poland where we find seven-year-old Anna, whose father (a university linguistics professor) has just been taken away by the Gestapo. Alone, hungry, and afraid, Anna is taken in by a mysterious, nameless stranger that she comes to call the Swallow Man.

The pair quickly connect through a shared gift — an affinity for speaking and understanding multiple languages. Thanks to her father, precocious Anna is conversant in German, Russian, French, and English as well as some Yiddish and a few other dialects. The Swallow Man is even more skilled than Anna, as he can speak all of these languages and also has an apparent supernatural connection with birds.

As they travel together, the Swallow Man teaches Anna the language of “Road” which involves adapting to whatever identity is necessary to survive in a war ravaged and evil world. It’s clear that the Shallow Man cares deeply for Anna as he serves as protector, guide, teacher, and father, but there is always a shroud of mystery that surrounds this man.

Without an actual destination, the companions wander together for years just trying to survive. The Swallow Man tells his young charge that they are on a journey to save an extremely rare and endangered bird — the last of its kind that the Germans and Russians want to kill so they can become more powerful. It’s never made clear who the “bird” is and this is one of many themes in the book that aren’t fully explored or resolved. Overall, the writing was quite good for this debut novelist but the ending was fairly abrupt and leaves many unanswered questions.

— Mark

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Thomas Murphy by Roger Rosenblatt

Most of us are well acquainted with Roger Rosenblatt’s non-fiction charmers such as The Boy Detective and Making Toast. His latest fiction offering, Thomas Murphy, is another cause for celebration. In this delightful story, we are fortunate to read the philosophical and random musings of the titular poet.

Rosenblatt’s familiar and comfortable writing style makes Murph (as he’s known by his friends) feel like an old friend, father, or beloved uncle. Now getting on in age and facing his sunset years, Murph ponders his recent widowhood and his relationship with his daughter, grandson, and other beloved lifelong friends.

Just when he seems happily resigned to the fact that his best days may already be behind him, a chance meeting at a bar with a stranger suddenly turns his life around. The stranger, Jack, finds out that Murph is a poet and asks him if he would do an extraordinary favor. At first Murph is reluctant to get involved in Jack’s business but is soon charmed by Jack’s wife Sarah and agrees to help out.

As the story progresses with Murph and Sarah discovering a mutual attraction, you’ll be tempted to hurry to the end to find out what happens. But to do so would mean missing out on each heartbreaking nuance that Rosenblatt brings to the table. As his fans already know, what this wordsmith puts on paper is meant to be slowly savored and pondered…much the same way Murph approaches his own life in the final days.

- Susan

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Your Heart is a Muscle the Size of a Fist by Sunil Yapa

Many of us may recall watching television coverage of the 1999 WTO riots in Seattle.  Perhaps we watched with confusion about how peaceful protests could have escalated so quickly.  Your Heart is a Muscle the Size of a Fist is a story that takes place in the thick of the riots, featuring protestors, police, and a boy whose story will bridge the gap between these groups at odds with one another.

Victor ran away from home at the age of 16 and has been traveling the world for the past three years before returning to Seattle.  His father, the chief of police, has been distraught over his son’s disappearance, wishing he could undo the events leading up to Victor’s decision to leave.

King and her boyfriend, John Henry, are protestors seeking change from world leaders who use their power and influence without thought of the third-world countries or people that are negatively impacted by their decisions.

Park and Ju, two beat cops with their own marked histories, are just trying to do their jobs.  Whether or not they agree with the protestors is beside the point, but making the right decisions in the heat of the moment will put them to the ultimate test.

Dr. Charles Wickramsinghe is a diplomat intent on seeing his home country of Sri Lanka join the WTO. Everything changes when he gets caught up in the riots and sent to jail, where he encounters protestors who make him question all he’s worked for over the past five years.

These storylines converge as the events of the day build into an explosive, heart-pounding, must-read tale. Yapa’s debut novel will be one that everyone is talking about and for good reason.  It’s not just a story; it’s who we are as a human race.

- Amy

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American Housewife by Helen Ellis

When you hear the term “American Housewife”, maybe you think of Donna Reed or some other famous domestic icon. Author Helen Ellis turns this common perception on its head with a searing and snarky collection of short stories.

Like some kind of warped combination of Tales from the Darkside meets Married with Children, you’ll find yourself gasping “Oh no she didn’t!” time and again as you dive into these delightfully twisted tales. You can’t help but enjoy the very un-PC stories as you soon discover how The Housewife exacts her revenge in a most unladylike way.

To add a little levity, Ellis also throws in some tried-and-true tidbits of advice, as touted in chapters such as “How to be a grown-ass lady” and “How to be a patron of the arts.”

This collection certainly won’t be for everyone, but if you enjoy the sharp wit of writers like Amy Sedaris and Mindy Kaling, then you are in for a treat. Grab your bon-bons and enjoy!

- Susan

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Kookooland by Gloria Norris

Growing up on the wrong side of the tracks in Manchester, New Hampshire, Gloria Norris learned early on that her family was like no other. Her father, Jimmy, was a no-good, brutish lout who dodged the law every chance he got; skating by on his illegal money-making schemes. Mother Shirley, the good wife, suffers in silence as she endures the worst kind of abuse, even though she would never dream of leaving Jimmy. Little Gloria is also subject to Jimmy’s verbal and emotional abuse, even as she seems unfazed by their bizarre relationship and unorthodox lifestyle.

The one true constant in Gloria’s life is her relationship with Susan Piasceny, daughter of Jimmy’s best friend Hank. It is with Susan that Gloria finds her North Star, her moral compass, her friend for life. As Gloria spends more and more time with Susan, she begins to believe that someday she can rise above their desolate circumstances and attain a level of safety and happiness.

All that changes when a shocking and violent incident rocks Susan’s world. The story takes on an even more sinister tone as Gloria becomes witness to Susan’s downward spiral. Afraid of making the same mistakes as her beloved mentor, Gloria decides she must try to escape her bleak and dangerous environment.

Norris writes in a blunt, gritty, overwhelmingly crass style that at times overshadows her story. But this memoir is a testimony that speaks of the harsh and unforgiving world that she lived in. It is the world of a little girl lost who must ultimately come to terms with her tragic history and make herself whole again.

- Susan

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This Raging Light by Estelle Laure

It's been two weeks since Lucille's mom left and didn't come back. Her dad hasn't been around either after abandoning the family with a nervous breakdown. Now Lucille is playing mom to her little sister, Wren, trying to keep their mother's departure a secret, and dealing with her feelings for her best friend's twin brother.

One of the strongest things about this debut is Lucille's voice. I felt like I was sharing in her struggle to pay the bills and keep her sister's stomach full. Anonymous helpers eventually stock Lucille and Wren's fridge, and Lucille does secure a job, but the author does not let her off that easy. This story feels well-balanced between the seemingly insurmountable odds of making it on your own with enough hopeful plot twists to encourage teenage readers who need a little light in their lives.

While some plot points made life a bit easier for Lucille and Wren than it may be in the real world, a plot twist keeps the pacing quick and keeps the story from dragging. Lucille and Wren are the most fleshed-out characters, and by story's end, I found myself disappointed that I will not be spending more time with them, as many contemporary young adult novels are standalone titles.

There is so much inspiration packed into this book, along with just the right amount of romance. I recommend This Raging Light to John Green fans that are itching for another meaningful contemporary read.

- Travis

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Christmas Bells by Jennifer Chaverini

I like Jennifer Chaverini but I have to admit that I haven’t read one of her books in quite some time. I’m not a huge fan of Christmas books because they tend to create images of snowy nights and the world at peace (when it’s not); however, I was taken in by this book. 

Chaverini does a brilliant job of interweaving the stories of a teacher who is about to be downsized, a family that has a father serving in Afghanistan, and the story of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

While it may take a minute to place the characters as you move through their stories, the depth and quality of the story is superb.  I would recommend this for any library collection. I believe it will circulate for years to come, and it will bring a whole new life to the Christmas song and Wadsworth poem I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.     

When I hear the bells this Christmas, I know I’ll think fondly of this book and hope that one day we will have good will and peace towards all men. 

- Becky

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Serendipity’s Footsteps by Suzanne Nelson

Sometimes a necklace, or blanket, or even a pair of shoes can tell a story — a story of love, family, dreams, and heartbreak. In “Serendipity’s Footsteps”, you travel through time and learn about a single pair of shoes and their meaning.  

This story features three special young women — Dalya, Ray and Pinny. Dalya’s world is torn apart as a young Jewish girl who is sent to a concentration camp. She leaves behind the things that she thinks matter the most to her.  Ray and Pinny are both orphans on the run, both seeking more. Ray dreams of making it to New York City to attend Juilliard, and Pinny dreams of finding her mother again.  

The author, Suzanne Nelson, does a superb job of bringing history alive. You feel as if you are transported back to Dayla’s era.  I think there will be a great number of teens captivated by the special pair of shoes and the young women whose stories are woven into their legacy.  

- Becky

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This Way Home by Wes Moore

Seventeen-year-old Elijah Thomas is a sensation on the basketball court. His focus and determination have made him a standout player and his skills are getting some serious attention.  His high school team has just won the state championship which for most would be the culmination of a dream, but not for Elijah. He sees basketball and college as a stepping stone and a way out of his tough Baltimore neighborhood.

Dylan and Michael are Elijah’s best friends and together the trio is preparing for a summer 3-on-3 tournament where the teens will compete in the adult division. A win here would give Elijah important visibility in front of college scouts. Along with the positive notoriety, Elijah is also getting noticed by a dangerous group.

An up and coming street gang, known as Blood Street Nation, has given Michael expensive gifts of sneakers and uniforms for the team to wear in the tournament. Although tempted by the new gear, Elijah knows it’s wrong and has the team go back to their worn out clothes to finish the championship. There are major consequences because of this decision and they fear the gang’s elusive boss will retaliate against them, which he does.

Elijah will need the help of Mr. Banks, a gruff, ex-military man who has become a reluctant mentor to the boy. Elijah desperately needs someone like Mr. Banks in his life since he has no real memories of his birth father. Missing his father is a recurring theme for Elijah throughout the book and is a reminder of just how important parents are to our youth. This was a well written and ultimately tragic story with some startling plot twists.

- Mark

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Ninja Timmy by Henrik Tamm

This fantastical tale centers on an orphan cat named Timmy and his ragtag team of animal friends. We’re introduced to Timmy’s best pal Simon, who is a mink, and also to Jasper and Casper – affectionately known as the pig brothers. Together they’ve just finished work on their latest invention, an automated orange peeler that they’re hoping to sell to a local merchant.

As they’re carrying the contraption through the streets of Elyzandrium, they're approached by a gang of bullies and the invention is stolen. The robbers are wild boars known as the Gribble cousins and they’ve been causing trouble for many of the town’s residents. Luckily, Timmy and his pals get some much needed help from new friends, Alfred, a kindly old toymaker, and Flores, a brave and skilled feline pilot.

Together the group sets out to retrieve the machine, but in their search they unexpectedly uncover an evil plot by a character known as the Blue Rabbit. The Blue Rabbit has been using the Gribbles to kidnap the town’s children so he can steal their laughter and try to make a soul for himself. Timmy and his fellow ninjas will need all of their skills to save the children, defeat the Blue Rabbit, and restore order to the town.

Debut author Henrik Tamm is no stranger to the animal fantasy genre as he’s helped create the worlds of Shrek and the Chronicles of Narnia in his role as a conceptual designer in the film industry. Ninja Timmy was initially published in Tamm’s home country of Sweden and although the prose may be a bit clumsy at times, the abundance of rich, full-color illustrations fill the book with detailed character images, intricate looking machines, and stealthy action sequences.

- Mark

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