Amanda's YA Picks

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Pumpkinheads By Rainbow Rowell, Faith Erin Hicks (Illustrator), Sarah Stern (Contributions by) Cover Image
By Rainbow Rowell, Faith Erin Hicks (Illustrator), Sarah Stern (Contributions by)
$18.99
ISBN: 9781626721623
Availability: Ships quickly (1-7 days)
Published: First Second - August 27th, 2019

I love this book and wish I could live inside it's fictional fall world. I am a huge fan of Rainbow Rowell and she does not disappoint with this graphic novel. Entirely lovely and the cutest love story.  


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Emergency Contact By Mary H. K. Choi Cover Image
$12.99
ISBN: 9781534408975
Availability: Ships quickly (1-7 days)
Published: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers - April 9th, 2019

This book is full of little everyday emergencies and twisty complex feelings and the slowest gentlest romance that was just so sweet, my heart melted. Not to mention I was half in love with Penny and Sam by the end and I just wanted to tuck this book to my chest and hold it forever.


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Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda By Becky Albertalli Cover Image
$15.99
ISBN: 9780062348685
Availability: Ships quickly (1-7 days)
Published: Balzer + Bray - June 7th, 2016

Why is reading this book somehow the most homely feeling in the world? Like stars re-aligning and flowers growing inside you and a thousand suns setting within your very bones? However, it doesn't hesitate to portray the reality of homophobia in a high school in the South, but it's ultimately such an uplifting story about friendship, family and the sweetest romance I may ever have read. This book is You've Got Mail for the next generation!


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What If It's Us By Becky Albertalli, Adam Silvera Cover Image
$12.99
ISBN: 9780062795236
Availability: Ships quickly (1-7 days)
Published: HarperTeen - May 5th, 2020

The ultimate story of a "missed connection," which turns into a fun twist on the typical meet-cute. Arthur and Ben are both complex, layered characters. They are easy to love, yet remain flawed; exactly as I feel realistic characters should be, and their love story is the same. This story is heartwarming, humorous, awkward, and inspiring.


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Two Can Keep a Secret By Karen M. McManus Cover Image
$12.99
ISBN: 9781524714710
Availability: Ships quickly (1-7 days)
Published: Ember - March 2nd, 2021

I was excited to read this because I loved "One of Us is Lying" so much. This book definitely didn't disappoint as a YA thriller, it was a great balance of teen soap (like a CW show) and a genuine mystery novel. Karen McManus is a plot twist genius, who succeeds in pulling me in and keeps me frantically flipping pages until the end. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next! 


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The To All the Boys I've Loved Before Paperback Collection (Boxed Set): To All the Boys I've Loved Before; P.S. I Still Love You; Always and Forever, Lara Jean By Jenny Han Cover Image
$32.99
ISBN: 9781534427037
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Published: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers - April 24th, 2018

I loved this series! Laura Jean's story is a  cute, feel good, foodie, contemporary romance with a fun family dynamic between the three Song sisters. The characters are all enjoyable and although there’s a lot of drama, it’s also hard not to smile. Read this series and then enjoy the Netflix adaptation! 


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I Am Still Alive By Kate Alice Marshall Cover Image
$11.99
ISBN: 9780425291009
Availability: Ships quickly (1-7 days)
Published: Penguin Books - July 2nd, 2019

I love a good survival story! Jess finds herself stuck in the middle of the Canadian wilderness with her dog, Bo. The story was  fast-paced, unpredictable and actually very interesting. Check out this action-packed novel, filled with riveting descriptions of the rugged, but beautiful wilderness. 


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I Have the Right To: A High School Survivor's Story of Sexual Assault, Justice, and Hope By Chessy Prout, Jenn Abelson Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9781534414433
Availability: Special Order
Published: Margaret K. McElderry Books - March 6th, 2018

I am absolutely empowered, inspired, and just amazed by Chessy Prout. Her story is so powerful and she tells it  unapologetically from start to finish. It’s raw and so much more than “here’s what happened to me.” Chessy will inspire millions to stand up and reevaluate their morals and their lives. She helped open a floodgate for many survivors to come forward and share their own story.


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The Sun Is Also a Star By Nicola Yoon Cover Image
$12.99
ISBN: 9780553496710
Availability: Ships quickly (1-7 days)
Published: Ember - March 5th, 2019

Whether you believe in fate or chance, destiny or coincidence, there is no denying that all of our actions and choices matter and cause a ripple effect. Natasha and Daniel are funny, flawed, fully-developed characters who feel as familiar as old friends. Their love story is anything but simple, and you will root for them until the very last page.