National Network for Equitable Library Service

Winner of the YA Book Prize 2021.

Spanning the late 1970s to the late 1980s, Nadia Bozak’s thirteen stories are narrated from the perspective of Shell, the only child of bohemian artisans determined to live off their handicrafts and uphold a left-wing lifestyle. At the age of five, Shell’s world is transformed when the family moves into a new house, where she grows up. Over time, she gradually trades her unconventional upbringing for junk food, rock music, and boys. All the while, Shell quietly watches her parents’ loveless marriage fall apart and learns to survive divorce, weight gain, heartache, and first love.

As Rebecca is about to turn twelve years old, she begins to realize that Joe, her father, is not the most supportive of parents. Rather he seems to want to turn her away from friendships, from involvement with others, from anyone who might intrude on their two lives. When it seems their affectionate neighbour is becoming too inquisitive, Joe abruptly arranges for himself and Rebecca to make a quick move to another place in the city. And as she reflects on things, Rebecca realizes that this is what has always happened.

In this high-interest accessible novel for middle-grade readers, amateur magician Kylie has to work hard to be taken seriously.

In this high-interest accessible novel for teen readers, trans teen Bass and his girlfriend, Rosie, have to battle the elements to survive.

In this coming-of-age story, sixteen-year-old Winnie and her three best friends-all boys-find themselves changing quickly and dramatically to impress Caleb, their strange and charismatic new companion. Under Caleb's influence, Winnie and her friends test boundaries, flirt with danger, and in the end, illuminate darkness within each other and themselves. Throw Down Your Shadows is a compelling exploration of the contours of young friendship and the development of powerful new appetites.

Twin sisters Bibike and Ariyike are enjoying a relatively comfortable life in Lagos in 1996. Then their mother loses her job due to political strife, and the family, facing poverty, is drawn into the New Church, an institution led by a charismatic pastor who is not shy about worshipping earthly wealth. Soon Bibike and Ariyike's father wagers the family home on a "sure bet" that evaporates like smoke.

Seventeen-year-old Zelda Bailey-Cho has her future all planned out: improv camp, then Second City, and finally Saturday Night Live. She's thrilled when she lands a spot on the coveted varsity team at a prestigious improv camp, which means she'll get to perform for professional scouts-including her hero, Nina Knightley. But even though she's hardworking and talented, Zelda's also the only girl on Varsity, so she's a target for humiliation from her teammates. And her twenty-year-old coach Ben is cruel to her at practice and way too nice to her when they're alone...

"A funny, perceptive, and much-needed book telling a much-needed story." —Celeste Ng, author of the New York Times bestseller Little Fires Everywhere. "Written with humor and grace, with intimacy and empathy, Don't Ask Me Where I'm From is the perfect coming of age novel for our time." —Matt Mendez, author of Barely Missing Everything and Twitching Heart. First-generation American LatinX Liliana Cruz does what it takes to fit in at her new nearly all-white school. But when family secrets spill out and racism at school ramps up, she must decide what she believes in and take a stand.

A New York Times bestseller. "Should be required reading in every classroom." —Nic Stone, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin. "A true love letter to Los Angeles." —Brandy Colbert, award-winning author of Little & Lion. "A brilliantly poetic take on one of the most defining moments in Black American history." —Tiffany D. Jackson, author of Grown and Monday's Not Coming.