This Month in Teen Books: April 2023

Reading recommendations for teens
April 13, 2023
The author of the award-winning debut Firekeeper’s Daughter has a hotly anticipated follow-up on the way to library shelves.
 
Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley
Perry Firekeeper-Birch has always known who she is:  the laidback twin, the troublemaker, the best fisher on Sugar Island. Her aspirations won't ever take her far from home, and she wouldn't have it any other way. But as the rising number of missing Indigenous women starts circling closer to home, as her family becomes embroiled in a high-profile murder investigation, and as greedy grave robbers seek to profit off of what belongs to her Anishinaabe tribe, Perry begins to question everything.
 
In order to reclaim this inheritance for her people, Perry has no choice but to take matters into her own hands. She can only count on her friends and allies, including her overachieving twin and a charming new boy in town with unwavering morals. Old rivalries, sister secrets, and botched heists will not stop her from uncovering the mystery before the ancestors and missing women are lost forever.
 
What’s New This Month
Also on the way are a short story anthology that challenges mental health stereotypes, an affirming memoir, the long-awaited American reprinting of Alice Oseman’s Solitaire, and new books from authors like Jason Reynolds, Vincent Tirado, Jarret Krosoczka, Becky Albertalli, Cynthia Leitich Smith, and more.  
Trending for Teens
Speaking of Alice Oseman, take another look at these readalikes for the always-popular Heartstopper series.  
What We’re Reading
Here are some quotes from library staff about the books in the newest list of recommended picks:
 
Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Too Afraid to Ask by Anton Treuer: “Bite-sized info, quick read, very informative!”
 
Same Difference by Derek Kirk Kim: “Emotionally expressive art, great dialogue.”
 
Supper Club by Jackie Morrow: “Made me want to start a supper club of my own.”
 
Crumbs by Danie Stirling: “Oh goodness. I can’t recall ever reading anything this adorable. The characters are so sweet and endearing. The story is unique and charming. The artwork is gorgeous. I just loved everything about it. Great for middle schoolers through adults.”
 
The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes: “It's presented as a romance, but family dynamics and identity crises are driving the story, with the romance being a cute B-story that doesn't rely on tropes as heavily as most romance stories.”  
For more lists of recommended reads from the book world and beyond: