NYPL Blogs: Stuff for the Teen Age

Twisty Young Adult Mysteries and Thrillers

Ruth Guerrier-Pierre, Children's Librarian, Kips Bay Library — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 14:26:00 -0500

Sometimes you find a mystery and sometimes it finds you. These young adult reads—contemporary and historical—offer intrigue and thrills as young women are drawn into solving crimes, revealing secrets, and unraveling mysteries.

Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley

Daunis, who is part Ojibwe, defers attending the University of Michigan to care for her mother and reluctantly becomes involved in the investigation of a series of drug-related deaths.

Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson

After solving the murder case together, Ravi Singh helped Pip create a podcast that soon went viral, but they both swear off sleuthing. When Jamie Reynolds goes missing on the sixth anniversary of the deaths of Andie Bell and Sal Singh, however, Pip feels it's too big of a coincidence to ignore. With the spotlight on her, can she still follow the clues and uncover even more sinister depths to her hometown?

Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson

When legendary R&B artist Korey Fields spots Enchanted Jones at an audition, her dreams of being a famous singer take flight. Until Enchanted wakes up with blood on her hands and zero memory of the previous night. Who killed Korey Fields? Before there was a dead body, Enchanted's dreams had turned into a nightmare. Because behind Korey's charm and star power was a controlling dark side. Now he's dead, the police are at the door, and all signs point to Enchanted.

Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus

While true-crime aficionado Ellery and her twin brother are staying with their grandmother in a Vermont community known for murder, a new friend goes missing and Ellery may be next.

A Good Girl's Guide To Murder by Holly Jackson

As her senior capstone project, Pippa Fitz-Amobi is determined to find the real killer in a closed, local murder case, but not everyone wants her meddling in the past.

The Forest of Stolen Girls by June Hur

In 1426 in Joseon, a year after her father vanishes while investigating the disappearance of thirteen girls, eighteen-year-old Min Hwani returns to the island of Jeju to pick up his trail with the help of her estranged sister.

Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger; illustrations by Rovina Cai

Elatsoe lives in an alternate contemporary America shaped by the ancestral magics and knowledge of its Indigenous and immigrant groups. She can raise the spirits of dead animals—most importantly, her ghost dog Kirby. When her beloved cousin dies, all signs point to a car crash, but his ghost tells her otherwise: He was murdered.

The Red Palace by June Hur

While investigating a series of grisly murders, eighteen-year-old palace nurse Hyeon navigates royal and political intrigue and becomes entangled with a young police inspector.

The Box in The Woods by Maureen Johnson

Stevie Bell just managed to solve the mystery at Ellingham Academy. Then she gets a message from the owner of Sunny Pines—formerly known as Camp Wonder Falls, the site of the infamous Box in the Woods murders. The new camp owner wants Stevie to help him work on a true-crime podcast about the unsolved case. Going undercover as a camp counselor, Stevie learns that something evil still lurks at the camp—and The Box in the Woods is willing to make room for more victims.

A Study in Charlotte: A Charlotte Holmes Novel by Brittany Cavallaro

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson descendants, Charlotte and Jamie, students at a Connecticut boarding school, team up to solve a murder mystery.

The Curious Incident of The Dog in The Night-Time by Mark Haddon

Despite his overwhelming fear of interacting with people, Christopher, a mathematically-gifted, autistic fifteen-year-old boy, decides to investigate the murder of a neighbor's dog and uncovers secret information about his mother.

Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson

When her friend Monday Charles goes missing and Monday's mother refuses to give her a straight answer, Claudia digs into her disappearance.

They'll Never Catch Us by Jessica Goodman

Cross-country running is Stella Steckler's life and she won't let anything get in the way of being the best. Her sister Ellie is a talented runner too, but she has friends, goes to parties, has a life off the course. Their lives are upended when Mila Keene comes to town. The top runner on her team back home, at first they view her as a threat. But Ellie's been looking for a friend, and in a moment of weakness shares her darkest secret with Mila. Stella also connects with Mila, but finds her a distraction. When Mila goes out on a training run and doesn't returns, all eyes are on the Steckler sisters.

Spin by Lamar Giles

When DJ ParSec (Paris Secord), rising star of the local music scene, is found dead over her turntables, the two girls who found her, Kya (her pre-fame best friend) and Fuse (her current chief groupie) are torn between grief for Paris and hatred for each other--but when the lack of obvious suspects stalls the investigation, and the police seem to lose interest, despite pressure from social media and ParSec's loyal fans, the two girls unite, determined to find out who murdered their friend.

Enola Holmes and The Black Barouche by Nancy Springer

When professional typist Letitia Glover is desperate to learn more about the fate of her twin sister Flossie, Enola enlists the help of her brother Sherlock and her friend Tewky to investigate Flossie's husband, the sudden death of his first wife, and the mysterious appearance of a black barouche.

I Hope You're Listening by Tom Ryan

Seventeen-year-old Dee secretly hosts a popular true-crime podcast but when a missing child seems linked to the disappearance of her best friend ten years ago, she considers revealing her identity to uncover the truth.

The Things She's Seen by Ambelin and Ezekiel Kwaymullina

Nothing has been the same for Beth Teller since the day she died. Her dad, a detective, was the only one able to see and hear her since the accident, but he is drowning in grief. But why is Isobel Catching able to see Beth, too? She was found wandering near the scene of a gruesome fire at a home for troubled youth that left an unidentifiable body behind. As Beth and her detective father work to unravel the mystery, they find a shocking and heartbreaking story lurking beneath the surface of a small Australian town. Told in two voices, this novel weaves together themes of grief, colonial history, violence, love, and family.

The Takedown by Corrie Wang

In this near-future mystery, Kyla Cheng, the smartest, hottest, most popular student at her Brooklyn high school, gets taken down a peg by a faked sex tape that goes viral.

Summaries provided via NYPL’s catalog, which draws from multiple sources. Click through to each book’s title for more.

40 Mental Health Books for Young Adults

Caitlyn Colman-McGaw, Manager of Young Adult Programming — Tue, 15 Feb 2022 10:04:03 -0500

Did you know reading can soothe a busy mind? In tough times, it can be hard to get away from the stress of the outside world, but one way you can is with a good book. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of 40 powerful mental health reads for young adults. These books share moments of inspiration and sorrow as well as offer tips for how you can keep moving forward.

These books are a part of the Community Mental Health Project which exists to help you find the mental and emotional support you or a loved one might need. This project features informative videos, programs, and recommended reads, all created by and for Black and Latinx/a/o New Yorkers—communities who have experienced the highest health disparities and impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many of these books are available in one or more accessible formats, as linked below.

If you find it hard to read standard print, The New York Public Library’s Andrew Heiskell Library provides free access to talking books, talking book players, braille, a talking book download website, and a free talking book and e-braille app for mobile devices. Learn more and apply.

DB (digital talkingbook) / BK (Bookshare)

Looking for more? Check out these Fiction and Nonfiction Reads To Support Mental Health for Children and Teens. Looking for resources for adults? Check out these mental wellness book lists: 75 lecturas imprescindibles sobre la salud mental (Spanish books for adults) and 39 Mental Wellness Must Reads (libros en inglés para adultos).

Check out these must-reads below:

Silhouetted by the Blue by Traci L. Jones
Request: Book | E-Book

Collateral Damage: The Mental Health Effects of the Pandemic by Carla Mooney
Request: Book

Dear Black Girl: Letters from Your Sisters on Stepping into Your Power by Tamara Winfrey Harris
Request: Book | E-Book | Audiobook

Forty-Two Minutes: The Indigo Lewis Series by Janay Harden
Request: Book

The Memory of Light by Francisco X. Stork
Request: Book | E-Book | Audiobook | DB

Last Night I Sang to the Monster by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Request: Book | E-Book

Zero O'Clock by C.J. Farley
Request: Book | E-Book

(Don't) Call Me Crazy: 33 Voices Start the Conversation about Mental Health edited by Kelly Jensen
Request: Book

COVID Chronicles: A Comics Anthology edited by Kendra Boileau and Rich Johnson
Request: Book

Heads Up: Changing Minds on Mental Health by Melanie Siebert
Request: Book | E-Book

Who Put This Song On? by Morgan Parker
Request: Book | E-Book | DB

Superhero Therapy: Mindfulness Skills to Help Teens and Young Adults Deal with Anxiety, Depression, and Trauma by Janina Scarlet
Request: Book

American Road Trip by Patrick Flores-Scott
Request: Book | E-Book | DB

When Reason Breaks by Cindy L. Rodriguez
Request: Book | E-Book

The Same Blood by M. Azmitia
Request: Book

Hope Nation: YA Authors Share Personal Moments of Inspiration edited by Rose Brock
Request: Book

My Heart and Other Blackholes by Jasmine Warga
Request: Book | E-Book | DB

The Resilient Teen: 10 Key Skills to Bounce Back from Setbacks & Turn Stress Into Success by Sheela Raja
Request: Book | E-Book

The PTSD Survival Guide for Teens: Strategies to Overcome Trauma, Build Resilience, and Take Back Your Life by Sheela Raja
Request: Book | E-Book

The Fall of Innocence by Jenny Torres Sanchez
Request: Book | E-Book

Black Girl, White School: Thriving, Surviving, and "No, You Can't Touch My Hair" edited by Olivia V.G. Clarke
Request: Book

Trans+: Love, Sex, Romance and Being You by Kathryn Gonzales
Request: Book

Ordinary Girls: A Memoir by Jaquira Díaz
Request: Book | E-Book | DB

Your Brain Needs a Hug: Life, Love, Mental Health, and Sandwiches by Rae Earl
Request: Book

Brave Face: A Memoir by Shaun David Hutchinson
Request: Book | E-Book | DB

The New David Espinoza by Fred Aceves
Request: Book | E-Book

Same But Different: Teen Life on the Autism Express by Holly Robinson Peete
Request: Book | E-Book

The Beautiful Struggle (Adapted for Young Adults) by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Request: Book | E-Book

Black Girl Unlimited: The Remarkable Story of a Teenage Wizard by Echo Brown
Request: Book | E-Book | DB | Large Print

Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram
Request: Book | E-Book | DB | Large Print

The Disturbed Girl's Dictionary by NoNieqa Ramos
Request: Book | E-Book | DB

Feminist AF: A Guide to Crushing Girlhood by Brittney Cooper
Request: Book

Home Home by Lisa Allen-Agostini
Request: Book | E-Book

I Will Save You by Matt de la Peña
Request: Book | E-Book | En Español

It's All Love: Reflections for Your Heart & Soul by Jenna Ortega
Request: Book | E-Book

More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera
Request: Book

The Place Between Breaths by Na An
Request: Book | E-Book

Rewire Your Anxious Brain for Teens: Using CBT, Neuroscience, and Mindfulness to Help You End Anxiety, Panic, and Worry by Debra Kissen
Request: Book | E-Book

Surviving The Emotional Rollercoaster: DBT Skills to Help Teens Manage Emotions by Sherry Van Dijk
Request: Book

Life Inside My Mind: 31 Authors Share Their Personal Struggles (Reprint) by Jessica Burkhart
Request: Book

10 Craft and Cookbooks to Ring in the Lunar New Year & Celebrate the Year of the Tiger

Michelle Lee, Young Adult Librarian, Riverside Library — Tue, 11 Jan 2022 13:14:05 -0500

Malayan Tiger. NYPL Digital Collections, Image ID: 823722

The upcoming Lunar New Year on February 1 will still be different—and distanced—yet again for many people of Asian descent across the world as COVID-19 cases rise with the infectious Omicron variant. Many of the traditional festivities like visiting family members and friends, going to temples and churches, and attending parades will probably be put on hold or go virtual for a second year in a row due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Here's a list of 10 craft and cookbooks to help with your own, at-home celebrations or digital gatherings. Make some paper decorations to brighten up the home or mail to loved ones as gifts. Try cooking a new Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, or Singaporean dish for the customary New Year's Eve dinner or New Year's Day meals. Create some sugary treats to start the new year on a sweet note. Or just admire the art and food photographs.

The upcoming Year of the Tiger will last until Jan. 21, 2023. The zodiac animal/sign is characterized as being brave, confident and energetic.

Whether you or your family celebrate the Spring Festival/ Chinese New Year, Seollal/Korean New Year, Tết / Vietnamese New Year, Tsagaan Sar / Mongolian New Year (February 2) or Losar/ Tibetan New Year (March 2), may the holiday bring good luck and good health.

Craft Books

Super Simple Chinese Art by Alex Kuskowski

Families can make a fun festive craft using a little bit of construction paper, scissors, glue, and other household items with this slim art book. Brighten up the holidays with a plum blossom tree, a paper lantern, dragon puppet and more projects.

Origami Activities: Asian Arts & Crafts for Creative Kids by Micheal G. LaFosse

Kids, teens, and adults who want to practice their origami skills can try their hands at 15 different projects. Crafts that would be relevant for the Lunar New Year include make a good luck box, a crane, a dollar-bill dragon, and a Chinese zodiac wheel.

Beautiful Origami Paper Wreaths: Handmade Japanese Decorations for Every Occasion by Noriko Nagata

Turn several pieces of origami paper into a beautiful, festive wreath with this craft guide book. Nagata’s unique creations are paired with various holidays throughout the year. The skill level required for these origami wreaths range from intermediate to advanced. Projects that would work well for the Lunar New Year include auspicious cranes, plum blossoms, and a flower bouquet.

Naomiki Sato's Origami Roses: Create Lifelike Roses and Other Blossoms by Naomiki Sato

Ambitious/experienced origami folders can create a rainbow of roses, cherry blossoms, and other flower buds to decorate your home. Step-by-step illustrations and photographs accompany each complex craft project.

Cook Books

Mister Jiu's in Chinatown: Recipes from the Birthplace of Chinese American Food by Brandon Jew and Tienlo Ho

“I had grown up speaking English but my culinary language was Chinese.” So goes the book introduction by Brandon Jew, executive chef and owner of Mr. Jiu’s, the Michelin-starred, award-winning San Francisco restaurant serving “high-end Chinese cuisine with a California accent.” This detailed cookbook is a primer on the “new” Chinatown pantry and the recipes offer modern, upscale takes on popular dishes as well as new culinary creations. Lunar New Year menu-ready selections include sizzling fish, four seas crispy chicken, whole Dungeness crab and baked nian gao (New Year’s cake).

Maangchi’s Big Book of Korean Cooking: From Everyday Meals to Celebration Cuisine by Maangchi (Emily Kim) with Martha Rose Shulman

This hefty compendium by Manhattan-based YouTube cooking instructor Maangchi (Emily Kim) is the ultimate guide to making a wide variety of Korean dishes. The simple instructions and bright photographs on every page go along with her popular food videos. Kim includes a brief passage on holiday foods and recipes for Lunar New Year specialties such as sagol-tteokguk (rice cake soup), bulgogi, and galbijim (barbecue beef), and sweets like injeolmi (rice cakes) and yakgwa (honey cakes). Vegetarian and vegan readers will be delighted by the chapters on vegetables and Korean Buddhist temple cuisine.

Into the Vietnamese Kitchen: Treasured Foodways, Modern Flavors by Andrea Quynhgiao Nguyen

Part memoir and culinary/history piece, California-based writer/chef Nguyen preserves her heritage through food as she shares family kitchen recipes that explore the breadth and depth of Vietnamese cuisine. There are plenty of recipes for everyday meals alongside more celebratory dishes for Tết, which include pork riblets, pickled shallots, and—most importantly—banh chung (sticky pork rice cakes). Nguyen includes short chapters explaining Tết holiday preparations and feast traditions.

Singapore Cooking: Fabulous Recipes from Asia's Food Capital by Terry Tan and Christopher Tan

Singaporean cuisine is a mixture of influences that include Chinese, Malay, Indian, Peranakan, and Western flavors and traditions. Broaden your culinary knowledge and palate with these two notable food writers/chefs. Sample the fragrant, savory dishes highlighted in this cookbook laden with luscious photographs on every page. Holiday-ready dishes include lo han chai Buddhist vegetarian feast, Ikan Panggang barbecue fish, Malay sambal fish, Singapore chili crab, and, to finish the meal off with dessert, Nyonya pineapple tart.

The Dumpling Galaxy Cookbook by Helen You with Max Falkowitz

Dumplings are another traditional Chinese dish often served on Lunar New Year’s Eve. You— the owner of the notable Flushing, Queens-based restaurant—shares more than 40 different savory and sweet recipes for these delicious edible packets filled with meat, seafood and/or vegetables. Special recipes to try for the Lunar New Year include mixed shellfish dumplings and two types of tang yuan (sweet glutinous rice dumplings).

Mooncakes and Milk Bread: Sweet and Savory Recipes Inspired by Chinese Bakeries by Kristina Cho

Baked goods aren’t common in traditional Chinese meals but these sweets have grown in popularity, especially around the holidays. This ode to Chinese bakeries includes recipes for long-time Lunar New Year treats fa gao and bai tang gao (steamed cupcakes and white sugar cake), as well as other festive desserts like black sesame souffle cake, mango mousse cake, and chocolate hazelnut Macau-style cookies. Cho’s book also profiles four beloved Chinese American bakeries, including New York City’s Fay Da.

For more Lunar New Year reading recommendations, check out these blog posts:

Books and Virtual Library Events to Ring in the Year of the Ox/Bull/Cow by Michelle Lee
Books and Library Events to Ring in the Year of the Mouse/Rat by Michelle Lee
Happy Lunar New Year: Books and Events to Honor the Year of the Dog by Michelle Lee

For more information about the Lunar New Year holiday, check out these blog posts:

The 15 Days of the Lunar New Year and What They Mean by Shirley Wong-Li
Chinese New Year Memories by Sue Yee

Festive Holiday Reads for Kids and Teens

Carrie McBride, Communications — Wed, 15 Dec 2021 14:43:29 -0500

There are many wondrous things about the holidays—lights, music, decorations, special foods, and, of course, books. Take a break from the swirl of holiday activities to share a book with a young person in your life or, for older kids and teens, recommend a festive read to get them into the spirit of the season. The selection below includes picture books to read together and suggestions for kids, middle grade readers, and young adults. Most are available in multiple formats and many are available as simultaneous e-books which means they're always available without a wait.

Picture Books

Jan Brett's The Nutcracker by Jan Brett

Set in wintry Russia, this classic Christmas fantasy features young Marie experiencing the magic of toys and animals and the Snow Princess coming to life.

Carla and the Christmas Cornbread by Carla Hall

In this heartwarming tale inspired by her childhood, superstar chef and TV host Carla Hall shares the story of young Carla, who eats a sugar cookie meant for Santa on the night before Christmas and tries to make things right.

Green is for Christmas by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

When Green claims he is the only color for Christmas, the other crayons—Red, White, Silver and Tan—show him that there would be no Christmas without them either.

The People Remember by Ibi Aanu Zoboi, illustrated by Loveis Wise

This beautifully illustrated, powerful tribute recounts the journey of African descendants in America by connecting their history to the seven principles of Kwanzaa.

May Your Life Be Deliciosa by Michael Genhart, illustrated by Loris Lora

Each year on Christmas Eve, Rosie's abuela teaches her not only how to make a delicious tamale, but how to make a delicious life--one filled with love, plenty of spice, and family.

Santa in the City by Tiffany D. Jackson, illustrated by Reggie Brown

Afraid that Santa might not be able to visit her, little Deja, with a little help from her family, community, and Santa himself, discovers that the Christmas spirit is alive and well in her city.

The Christmas Owl: Based on the True Story of a Little Owl Named Rockefeller by Ellen Kalish and Gideon Sterer, illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki

The story of a little owl who is found inside the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, her curiosity about what the holiday means, and her time spent healing with the woman who saved her life

Kids

The Legend of the Christmas Witch by Dan Murphy and Aubrey Plaza, illustrated by Julia Iredale

Searching for her long-lost twin brother, Santa Claus, Kristtörn, a powerful and much misunderstood witch, finds instead a confrontation that would leave the fate of Christmas hanging in the balance.

The Christmasaurus by Tom Fletcher, illustrations by Shane Devries

Countless years after rolling away from its mother and freezing in the ocean, a dinosaur egg is discovered by Santa Claus, who sits on it until a dinosaur hatches and becomes an accidental Christmas gift for a boy who must protect it from a trophy hunter.

The Girl Who Saved Christmas by Matt Haig

Orphaned Amelia loses everything--including hope--but she may be the only one who can give Santa the extra boost of magic he needs to save Christmas.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

Ralph, Imogene, Leroy, Claude, Ollie, and Gladys Herdman are an awful bunch. They set fire to Fred Shoemaker's toolshed, blackmailed Wanda Pierce to get her charm bracelet, and smacked Alice Wendelken across the head. And that's just the start! When the Herdmans show up at church for the free snacks and suddenly take over the Christmas pageant, the other kids are shocked. It's obvious that they're up to no good. But Christmas magic is all around and the Herdmans, who have never heard the Christmas story before, start to reimagine it in their own way.

How Winston Delivered Christmas by Alex T. Smith

Discovering a lost letter addressed to Santa, a little mouse begins an unforgettable journey to deliver the letter in time, in a heartwarming advent story that provides a chapter and festive holiday activity for every day in December leading up to Christmas.

Middle Grade

The Golden Dreidel by Ellen Kushner, illustrations by Kevin Keele

Receiving a one-of-a-kind Chanukah gift—an enormous golden dreidel—Sara discovers that there’s much more to the dreidel than meets the eye when she spins herself into a whole new world and must rely on her courage to find her way back home.

A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig

Having received a single beloved toy in his life, an 11-year-old boy nicknamed "Christmas" travels to the North Pole when his father goes missing, where he befriends a surly reindeer and discovers an enchanted frozen world along the way.

And check out the newly published origin story of Christmas's friend: A Mouse Called Miika by Matt Haig, illustrated by Chris Mould

The No-Good Nine by John Bemelmans Marciano

In 1931, nine naughty children who received coal in their stockings travel from Pittsburgh to the North Pole to plead their case to Santa Claus.

Top Elf by Caleb Zane Huett

Ollie has always been happy just being an elf and inventing new games for Christmas with his best friend Celia--but then the current Santa (descendent of the original) decides to retire and announces that there will be an open competition for the position of next Santa (his son Klaus is not pleased) and suddenly Ollie and the other elves are vying with the Santa children for the Big Red Suit.

Teens

The Holiday Switch by Tif Marcelo

Planning to enjoy her last snowy winter break of high school by working at a cozy local inn and moonlighting as an anonymous book blogger, Lily Santos’ plans are upended when the boss’s frustratingly cute nephew, Teddy Rivera, becomes her nemesis co-worker then the two accidentally switch phones, a snafu that may just reveal their secrets and bring the rivals together.

Castle in the Clouds by Kerstin Gier

Way up in the Swiss mountains, there's an old grand hotel steeped in tradition and faded splendor. Once a year, when the famous New Year's Eve Ball takes place and guests from all over the world arrive, excitement returns to the vast hallways. Sophie, who works at the hotel as an intern, is busy making sure that everything goes according to plan. But unexpected problems keep arising, and some of the guests are not who they pretend to be. Very soon, Sophie finds herself right in the middle of a perilous adventure—and at risk of losing not only her job, but also her heart.

The Resolutions by Mia Garcia

Four Latinx teenagers that have grown apart revive their New Year tradition of making resolutions, but this year they are making resolutions for each other.

So This Is Christmas by Tracy Andreen

When Finley Brown returns to her hometown of Christmas, Oklahoma, from boarding school, she finds things have changed everywhere and looks to find her own place at home.

The Afterlife of Holly Chase by Cynthia Hand

Assigned to work as a Ghost of Christmas Past after refusing to change her ways on a fateful Christmas Eve five years earlier, Holly becomes unexpectedly motivated to help a latest Scrooge, who may offer her a fresh start of her own.

Anna and the Apocalypse by Katharine Turner with Barry Waldo

Anna Shepherd is a straight-A student with a lot going on under the surface: she’s struggling with her mom’s death, total friend drama, and the fallout from wasting her time on a very attractive boy. She’s looking forward to skipping town after graduation—but then a zombie apocalypse majorly disrupts the holiday season. It’s going to be very hard to graduate high school without a brain. To save the day, Anna, her friends, and her frenemies will have to journey straight to the heart of one of the most dangerous places ever known, a place famous for its horror, terror, and pain…high school.

Have trouble reading standard print? Many of these titles are available in formats for patrons with print disabilities.

Summaries provided via NYPL’s catalog, which draws from multiple sources. Click through to each book’s title for more.

现正介绍Pixton一通过图书卡便能免费使用！

Camila Franco Diaz, Communications — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 13:35:26 -0500

(In English)

纽约公共图书馆很高兴为图书馆持卡人提供 Pixton，一个为儿童与青少年而设的数字漫画创作网站。

图书馆用户使用他们的图书卡号和密码，可以通过纽约公共图书馆网站登录个人 Pixton 帐户并开始创作漫画。如果您还没有图书卡，可以在线或在地方图书馆分馆申请图书卡。 12 岁及以下的图书馆用户需要父母或监护人来帮助他们。

无需绘画技巧即可在 Pixton 中发挥创意！只需点击来自各种主题的预设角色和背景，包括超级英雄、童话故事、黑人历史、古埃及等等，来构建漫画的每个面板！

开始您的第一部漫画很简单。登录并制作头像后，点击红色的“新漫画”按钮。然后选择背景和角色（或设计您自己的自定义角色）并添加文字、面部表情或姿势来讲述您的漫画故事！

所有漫画都会自动保存到您的 NYPL Pixton 帐户，因此您可以稍后返回并继续处理它们，或者下载并打印出来。

Pixton 只是纽约公共图书馆为儿童和青少年提供的众多 STEAM（科学、技术、工程、艺术和数学）机会之一。探索图书馆在 STEAM 活动、计划和服务方面提供的一切，并浏览我们的 STEAM 活动日历。

Introduciendo Pixton: ¡accesible de forma gratuita con tu tarjeta de la Biblioteca!

Camila Franco Diaz, Communications — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 13:33:47 -0500

(In English)

La Biblioteca Pública de Nueva York se complace en ofrecer a los titulares de tarjetas de biblioteca acceso a Pixton, un sitio web de creación de cómics digitales infantiles y juveniles.

Usando su número de tarjeta de biblioteca y PIN, los usuarios pueden iniciar sesión en una cuenta personal de Pixton a través del sitio web de NYPL y comenzar a crear cómics. Si aún no tiene una, puede solicitar una tarjeta de biblioteca en línea o en su biblioteca local. Los usuarios menores de 12 años necesitarán que un familiar o tutor legal les ayude con la solicitud.

¡No se requieren habilidades de dibujo para poner la creatividad a volar con Pixton! Para construir cada panel de su cómic, simplemente haga clic en personajes y fondos preestablecidos de una variedad de temas que incluyen superhéroes, cuentos de hadas, historia negra, Antiguo Egipto y muchos más.

Comenzar con tu primer cómic es simple. Una vez que hayas iniciado sesión y creado tu avatar, haz clic en el botón rojo "nuevo cómic". Luego, selecciona un fondo y un personaje (o diseña tu propio personaje personalizado) y agrega texto, expresiones faciales o poses para contar la historia de tu cómic.

Todos los cómics se guardan automáticamente en tu cuenta de la NYPL Pixton para que puedas regresar y seguir trabajando en ellos más tarde o descargarlos e imprimirlos.

Pixton es solo una de las muchas oportunidades infantiles y juveniles de STEAM (ciencia, tecnología, ingeniería, arte y matemáticas) disponibles en la Biblioteca Pública de Nueva York. Descubre todo lo que la Biblioteca tiene para ofrecer en términos de actividades, programas y servicios de STEAM, y explora nuestro calendario de eventos de STEAM.

Introducing Pixton—Accessible for Free Using Your Library Card!

Ruth Isserman, Youth Technology Coordinator — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 13:30:39 -0500

(En Español)

(用中文)

The New York Public Library is pleased to offer library cardholders access to Pixton, a digital comics creation website for kids and teens.

Using their library card number and PIN, patrons can sign in to a personal Pixton account through the NYPL website and start creating comics. If you don’t already have one, you can apply for a library card online or at your local branch. Patrons aged 12 and under will need a parent or guardian to help them.

No drawing skills are required to get creative in Pixton! To build each panel of your comic, just click on preset characters and backgrounds from a variety of themes including superheroes, fairy tales, Black history, Ancient Egypt, and many more!

Getting started with your first comic is simple. Once you’ve logged on and made your avatar, click the red “new comic” button. Then select a background and a character (or design your own custom character) and add text, facial expressions, or poses to tell your comic’s story!

All comics are saved automatically to your NYPL Pixton account so you can return and keep working on them later or download and print them out.

Pixton is just one of the many STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) opportunities available for kids and teens at the New York Public Library. Discover everything the Library has to offer in terms of STEAM activities, programs and services, and explore our STEAM events calendar.

Introducing Keeping Up With Gen Z, A Podcast By and For Teens

Mon, 22 Nov 2021 13:08:14 -0500

Keeping Up With Gen Z is a new podcast created by and for teens at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library’s Teen Center. Teen co-host Kaelin Motsoasele introduces the hosts and the podcast below.

There’s always a new podcast to subscribe to, including a few from The New York Public Library, but I wanted to tell you about one to really keep on your radar: Keeping up with Gen Z!

What is Keeping Up With Gen Z?

First and foremost, Keeping Up With Gen Z is a podcast hosted by teens for teens. We discuss what is currently trending or a topic that is important to us. We shed light on topics like woke culture, High School Musical ships we were deprived of, school, voting, and more! Provided with a space where our opinions are valued, this podcast helps to set the precedent for a focus on younger voices. Environments that not only promote and elevate teen voices, but also encourage them is vital—especially in a climate that is still excluding young people from spaces that define the image of our generation. Who better to define that than teens themselves?

Meet The Co-hosts, Kaelin and Alex

Kaelin (she/they) is a sophomore at Hunter College High School. She currently works as a Youth Civics Intern at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library’s Teen Center. In their role, Kaelin strives to implement youth engagement strategies and organize events to educate teens on the importance of voting as well as elevate teen voices in politics. In their rare spare time, you can find her binge watching anime on Crunchyroll.

Alex (they/she) is a high school junior in Lower Manhattan. At five years old, they immigrated to the U.S. from Jamaica and then grew up in South Jamaica, Queens. Currently, she volunteers at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library’s Teen Center and has been a Library teen patron since 2017. When they’re not volunteering or completing their extracurricular activities, Alex believes in restoring themselves through the healing powers of long naps.

The two of them record episodes in the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library Teen Center recording studio. Although Kaelin and Alex are the voices of Keeping Up With Gen Z, previous and current Teen Center teen volunteers dedicated time to this project. From Tiffany and Maisha’s initial pilot recording, to Ummul and Raisa’s first script drafts, the teen volunteers as well as the guidance of Digital Media Instructor, Darro Chea, have made this possible.

Why Listen to Keeping Up With Gen Z?

Come for a youth perspective on issues like performative activism, and stay for the interactions between Alex and Kaelin, who are both very cool individuals. We give book recommendations every episode, so stay to broaden your reading list. You’ll learn something new every episode, and have a good laugh as well.

Keeping Up With Gen Z is available on Soundcloud

You can listen to episodes below or find them on Soundcloud

New York Public Library · Keeping Up With Gen Z

E-Magazines Kids & Teens Can Enjoy At Home

Carrie McBride, Communications — Thu, 04 Nov 2021 16:11:58 -0400

Your library card is not only a passport to a world of books, but to a world of magazines. Kids and teens can explore magazines from around the world and in many languages from inside the Library or from the comfort of home. Hobbies, sports, fashion, history, news, animals, gaming—there's something for everyone from preschoolers to older teens.

Below is a sampling of magazine titles for young audiences which are available through either Flipster or PressReader using your library card. You can find many more by searching PressReader's "For Kids & Tweens" category and Flipster's "Family & Kids" and "Teens" categories. You'll find more titles of interest by browsing categories like "Crafts,""Sports," "Animals & Pets," "Food & Cooking," "Fashion," and others.

Live, work, or go to school in New York State and don't have an NYPL library card yet? You can apply online or at one of our physical locations.

Access Flipster

Access PressReader

100% Gaming (via Press Reader)

110% Gaming is THE magazine for gamers aged 7–12. Inside you'll find YouTuber exclusives, gaming tips, and game reviews.

Animal Tales (via Press Reader)

Animal Tales is the only children's magazine to focus entirely on animals. It engages its readers with heart-warming animal stories as well as educational articles. Animal Tales is perfect for animal-loving kids between the ages of 6–12 .

Ask (via Flipster)

Ask is the magazine about science, history, inventors, artists, and more, all written just for 6–9- year-olds—the most curious people on the planet!

Babybug (via Flipster)

Babybug features joyful, brightly illustrated stories and poems perfect for parent and child (ages 6 months to 3 years) to read together.

The Beano (via Press Reader)

The Beano is Britain’s favorite comics magazine for kids aged 7–11. The Beano is guaranteed to provide laughs for all ages with every turn of the page including loads of challenging quizzes and fun games.

Click (via Flipster)

Introduce children to science, art, nature, and environmental issues with Click. Each issue answers their questions about how the world works, one intriguing topic at a time

Cricket (via Flipster)

Cricket publishes only the highest quality fiction and classic literature and nonfiction stories on culture, history, science, and the arts. Each issue includes a story, poetry, or art contest, as well as the signature cast of rambunctious bug characters who offer humorous commentary on the stories.

Faces (via Flipster)

Faces takes young readers around the world and back to get an honest and unbiased view of how children in other countries and world regions live.

Glitter (via Flipster)

Glitter is a lifestyle magazine for college-bound late teens and 20-somethings, which was founded on the principles of diversity and empowerment. Each issue features informative editorial, entertainment, fashion, beauty news, and celebrity interviews.

Girls' Life (via Flipster)

Filled with everything she needs to look and feel amazing, GL features expert advice on all the important stuff (like school, friendship, family and crushes) plus fab fashion inspiration, skincare and beauty tips, hair ideas, pro fitness advice, recipes, craft and party DIYs, celeb interviews, and more.

High Five and High Five Bilingüe (via Press Reader)

High Five has stories, puzzles, and activities that are expertly designed to nurture your preschooler or kindergartner's development. Every issue reinforces skills that prepare them for reading, math and other areas of learning—but the kids only know that it's fun!

Highlights for Kids (via Flipster and Press Reader)

In every issue, kids explore new topics, investigate cool subjects, and find out about the world. Highlights for Kids is filled with stories, games, puzzles, riddles, science experiments, craft projects and interactive entertainment.

How It Works (via Flipster)

How It Works is the action-packed science and technology magazine bursting with exciting information about our universe. Written and presented in a style that makes even the most complex subjects interesting and easy to understand, How It Works is enjoyed by readers of all ages.

Ladybug (via Flipster)

Ladybug offers enchanting stories and poems to read aloud that are just the right length for a cozy cuddle. Ladybug magazine will spark young imaginations and develop a love of reading that will last a lifetime.

Mollie Makes (via Press Reader)

Mollie Makes is a multi-craft and lifestyle magazine sharing creative inspiration, free projects and how tos for beginners. [Note: This title is aimed at an adult audience, but suitable for tweens and teens.]

Sports Illustrated Kids (via Flipster)

The ultimate, kid-friendly, resource on sports including: profiles of the biggest names in sports, fun sports trivia, games, contests, amazing action photography, instructional tips from the pros, interactive sports cards, and hilarious Buzz Beamer cartoons.

The Week Junior and The Week Junior Science + Nature (via Press Reader)

The Week Junior is designed and written by experts to carefully explain current affairs, science, sport, the arts, nature, and technology to 8–14-year-olds, encouraging them to explore their world and develop their own opinions.

The Week Junior Science + Nature is jam-packed with amazing information, inspiring stories, mind-blowing facts, incredible pictures and fun activities — designed to spark curiosity and ignite a passion for discovery.

Summaries adapted from publisher descriptions.

Thoughts on the Youth Voice and Civic Engagement

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 13:23:07 -0400

Gen Z. The generation of activists like Greta Thunberg, Tiana Day, and the Parkland survivors. The generation that wrote, composed, and designed an entire musical on TikTok.

Members of Gen Z have accomplished a lot and yet teens and politics are not typically words you see in the same sentence. Now why is that? Some might say it’s because teens aren’t motivated to participate in politics. Others might voice that teens just aren’t included as a target demographic for civic campaigns. The real answer isn't so simple and is often overlooked when assessing teen engagement.

So, why don’t we participate in the first place?

Well, youth, especially youth like myself who are not of age, are often pushed out of political and civic conversations under the premise of being too young. A 2020 study from CIRCLE (Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement), indicates that only half of young people in the U.S. have received instruction on how to register to vote. In my personal experience, through my public education, I can say that not only have I not received the resources necessary to learn about how to vote and why it’s important, but my peers and I have then been admonished for not turning out.

Graphic by Kaelin Motsoasele

Since teens traditionally don’t turn out in substantial numbers, it makes fiscal sense that political campaigns use their resources and funds to target demographics that they can count on to vote. Hence, youth find themselves in a Catch-22—faced with a perpetual cold shoulder in regards to the civic world and voicing our ideas becomes cumbersome.

This may not be the only reason that youth do not turn out to vote, but when it feels like an entire system is structured against you, and you are meant to feel as though you don’t belong, it’s easy to lose interest in getting involved. Why speak up just to be ignored?

Of course, it’s not as if teens don't have ideas on what would benefit our society. In fact, teens tend to be more vocal about their thoughts and ideas when they are provided with spaces that feel safe or value their opinions. Creating an environment that not only promotes and elevates teen voices but also cultivates them is important to seeing real change in the way our world works, especially since a lot of policies end up defining the America that younger generations grow up in. The same survey by CIRCLE also found that youth who remembered getting voter instruction or encouragement in high school participated more in civic activities.

I myself was able to get into civics in middle school. Back in 2018, there was a Participatory Budgeting cycle that my school was involved in. The idea that citizens, including students, could help choose how to spend a million dollars on bettering the community was novel in New York, and not many people knew about it. If we wanted our project to win a chunk of that money, we would have to teach people about the concept of Participatory Budgeting, and I was enlisted to get out the word. That included stopping people on the street, putting up informational flyers around the neighborhood, and handing out ballots to those I could. One of the coolest things about this Participatory Budgeting project was that anyone who was 14 and older and either lived, worked, went to school, or owned a business in the district could vote. This really introduced me to how voting worked as well as the idea of campaigning for a cause.

How can we, the youth, get involved in politics? Research, research, research! I know, the word "research" feels daunting because we often equate that word to school, but I promise this is a lot less strenuous. Start small, think about your neighborhood.

Do you know who your local officials are?

Who represents you?

Now think about what’s important to you.

Based on what you’ve seen of your local officials, are your values reflected in their policies? Campaigns?

Consider talking to someone, your family perhaps, about the different candidates and share your opinions before voting on the November 2. Even if you are too young to vote, starting these conversations now can definitely help create good habits for when it is your time to vote. As young people, the future is ours, and if we want anything in our society, we have to learn to be the change we want to see.

Need resources on voting?

Check out our partners from the NYC Campaign Finance Board: VoteNYC
And check out NYPL's voting resources page: Voter Information: Get Informed & Vote

That Boy Is a Monster: Monster Mayhem Manga

Amanda Pagan, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL) — Fri, 29 Oct 2021 12:37:23 -0400

Do you ever feel like the world is trying to break you down? Do you ever want to just snap and go berserk? Have you ever had your body physically morph into a monstrous otherworldly being capable of superhuman levels of carnage and destruction? Then you might understand what all the boys on this list are going through. Some of them were born this way while others are simply the results of human (and non-human) experiments gone wrong (or right depending on how you look at it).

Follow their journey as they learn how to tame the beasts within them before they themselves succumb to the overwhelming rage and power!

Ajin: Demi-Human Story: Tsuina Miura written and drawn by Gamon Sakurai; translation by Ko Ransom

Kei Nagai, a high-school student, should have died when the truck hit him. Instead, he comes back to life and his world is changed forever. Kei learns he is an Ajin or demi-human, a mysterious creature that cannot die. Frightened by the prospect of what might happen to him, Kei, helped by his friend, Kai, flee from civilization only to encounter a group of demi-humans who are hostile to humans. Who should Kei side with?

Attack on Titan by Hajime Isayama; translated and adapted by Sheldon Drzka; lettered by Steve Wands

For the past century, what's left of mankind has hidden in a giant, three-walled city, trapped in fear of the bizarre, giant humanoids known as the Titans. Little is known about where they came from or why they are bent on consuming human-kind, but the sudden appearance of an enormous Titan is about change everything.

Blood Lad by Yuuki Kodama; translated by Melissa Tanaka; lettering by Alexis Eckerman

The vampire Staz is one of the most powerful district bosses in the demon world, fending off everyone who dares challenge him. But secretly, the fearsome Staz is obsessed with human culture, especially video games, manga, and everything that comes from Japan! When a Japanese girl wanders into the demon world, Staz can't wait to meet the human and learn everything he can about her world. Unfortunately, before he's able to ask her anything, the girl is killed by one of his would-be usurpers, leaving just her bare soul behind. Staz vows to help the girl restore her body and return to her former life—especially since it means taking a trip to the human world himself!

Blue Exorcist by Kazue Kato; translation and English adaptation by John Werry

Fight hellfire with hellfire! Raised by Father Fujimoto, a famous exorcist, Rin Okumura never knew his real father. One day a fateful argument with Father Fujimoto forces Rin to face a terrible truth—the blood of the demon lord Satan runs in Rin's veins! Rin swears to defeat Satan, but doing that means entering the mysterious True Cross Academy and becoming an exorcist himself. Can Rin fight demons and keep his infernal bloodline a secret? It won't be easy, especially when drawing his father's sword releases the demonic power within him!

Chainsaw Man story and art byTatsuki Fujimoto; translation byAmanda Haley; touch-up art and lettering by Sabrina Heep

Broke young man + chainsaw dog demon = Chainsaw Man! Denji was a small-time devil hunter just trying to survive in a harsh world. After being killed on a job, he is revived by his pet devil-dog Pochita and becomes something new and dangerous--Chainsaw Man! Denji's a poor young man who'll do anything for money, even hunting down devils with his pet devil-dog Pochita. He's a simple man with simple dreams, drowning under a mountain of debt. But his sad life gets turned upside down one day when he's betrayed by someone he trusts. Now with the power of a devil inside him, Denji's become a whole new man—Chainsaw Man!

Gleipnir by Sun Takeda; translation by ZephyrRZ; lettering by Daniel CY

Shuichi Kagaya, an ordinary high school kid in a boring little town. But when a beautiful classmate is caught in a warehouse fire, he discovers a mysterious power: He can transform into a furry dog with an oversized revolver and a zipper down his back. He saves the girl's life, sharing his secret with her. But she's searching for the sister who killed her family, and she doesn't care how degrading it gets: She will use Shuichi to accomplish her mission…

Jujutsu Kaisen story and art by Gege Akutami; translation by Stefan Koza

Although Yuji Itadori looks like your average teenager, his immense physical strength is something to behold! Every sports club wants him to join, but Itadori would rather hang out with the school outcasts in the Occult Research Club. One day, the club manages to get their hands on a sealed cursed object. Little do they know the terror they’ll unleash when they break the seal…

Naruto story and art by Masashi Kishimoto; English adaptation by Jo Duffy

In another world, ninja are the ultimate powe—and in the village of Konohagakure live the stealthiest ninja in the world. But twelve years ago Konohagakure was attached by a fearsome threat—a nine-tailed fox demon which claimed the life of the Hokage, the village champion. Today, peace has returned, and a troublemaking orphan named Uzumaki Naruto is struggling to graduate from the ninja Academy. His goal: to become the next Hokage. But unknown to Naruto and his classmates, within him is a terrifying force...

Tokyo Ghoul story and art by Sui Ishida; translation by Joe Yamazaki

Ghouls live among us, the same as normal people in every way—except their craving for human flesh. Ken Kaneki is an ordinary college student until a violent encounter turns him into the first half-human half-ghoul hybrid. Trapped between two worlds, he must survive Ghoul turf wars, learn more about Ghoul society and master his new powers.

Summaries provided via NYPL’s catalog, which draws from multiple sources. Click through to each book’s title for more.

Remembering 9/11 with Kids & Teens: 20 Years Later

Tiffany James, School Outreach Librarian — Tue, 07 Sep 2021 12:14:07 -0400

Join the Library as we remember the events of September 11, 2001. For many New Yorkers, this time of commemoration is a moment to teach, discuss, and reflect on our recent history with readers who had not yet been born. As the book discussion, recommendations, and resources below attest, there are lots of ways to explore 9/11 and the legacy of that terrible day with kids and teens, both in the classroom and at home.

To mark the 20th anniversary of 9/11, authors Gae Polisner, Tom Rogers, and Nora Raleigh Baskin joined Shauntee Burns-Simpson, the Library's Associate Director of School Support, to discuss their books for children and young adults about the events of that day.

Here are some of the many titles—in addition to those discussed above—that explore the events of September 11, 2001, in a way that will help younger readers to better understand our recent history and the world we live in now.

Nonfiction

America Is Under Attack: September 11, 2001: The Day the Towers Fell by Don Brown

A moving and informative account of the 9/11 attacks. Told chronologically from perspectives in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania, this illustrated nonfiction book presents details on the attacks, the recovery, and the first responders in a thoughtful and accessible way for children ages 8 and up.

Saved by the Boats: The Heroic Sea Evacuation of September 11 by Julie Gassman, illustrated by Steve Moors

This picture book is based on the story of the heroic boat captains and crews who helped thousands of people get to safety on 9/11. A gentle introduction to 9/11, and a story of hope and humanity for very young children.

This Very Tree: A Story of 9/11, Resilience, and Regrowth by Sean Rubin

A sensitively written story about the aftermath of 9/11 told from the perspective of a tree that remained standing after the attacks and came to be a symbol of light and hope. Includes an introduction to 9/11 and the World Trade Center. Suggested for children ages 5–7.

What Were the Twin Towers? by Jim O'Connor

This beginner's guide gives kids information about the Twin Towers from their construction through to the events of September 11, 2001. Suggested for children ages 8 and up.

Fiction

Branches of Hope: The 9/11 Survivor Tree by Ann Magee, illustrated by Nicole Wong

An introduction to 9/11 for younger children told from the perspective of a family of firefighters that tells the story of the day itself, the rescue efforts, the memorials, and the survivor tree. Suggested for children ages 5–7.

Towers Falling by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Fifth-grader Deja has started a new school and a new life in Brooklyn. When her teacher begins a lesson about September 11, Deja realizes she knows almost nothing about the events of that day. Along with her new friends at school, she begins a journey to answer questions about 9/11 and learns new things about her family, community, and friendships. Recommended for ages 9–12.

Nine, Ten: A September 11 Story by Nora Raleigh Baskin

A story of children in different parts of the United States who experience 9/11 from a range of different perspectives. Four middle school kids in Ohio, California, Pennsylvania, and New York City start out on September 10 consumed by their own challenges at home, including grief and dealing with an absentee father. They have no idea that they are all about to come together in the aftermath of 9/11, as their families and communities are affected by the tragic events. Recommended for ages 9–12.

The Memory of Things by Gae Polisner

On the morning of September 11, 2001, 16-year-old Kyle Donohue watches the first tower come down. Then, while fleeing home to safety, finds a girl covered in ash who has no memory. Suggested for ages 12+.

I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001 by Lauren Tarshis

When the 9/11 attacks hit New York, Lucas rushes to the World Trade Center to try to find his dad and his firefighter "uncle" in this fast-paced novel that will draw younger readers in and help them to connect to history in a meaningful way. Recommended for ages 9–12.

Additional Resources

FreedomFlix brings history to life for students. Discover child-friendly introductory videos, e-books, and lesson plans on 9/11 and other related topics. (Library card required)

Kids InfoBits is a child-friendly database with articles on history, current events, and more. This is a useful starting place for searching for reliable information on 9/11 and many other subjects. (Library card required)

Let's Get Meta: Manga About Manga!

Amanda Pagan, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL) — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 14:14:56 -0400

Greetings readers! Are you ready for another manga reading recommendation list? We’ve covered action manga, romance manga, silly manga—the lists go on and on! Now we’re bringing you our latest collection:

Manga...about manga!

That’s right! Here we’ve gathered titles that feature either the effort that goes into creating manga, selling manga, or just being obsessed with manga. In short, if it’s about manga, then it’s here. So for all you manga fiends out there, enjoy these sneak peeks into the backstage chaos behind making manga magic!

Note: The manga listed here are intended for teens and adults. If you are looking for manga that is appropriate for younger readers, check out Manga for Middle Schoolers: Guide and Recommendations.

Bakuman story by Tsugumi Ohba; art by Takeshi Obata; translation and adaptation by Tetsuichiro Miyaki

Average student Moritaka Mashiro enjoys drawing for fun. When his classmate and aspiring writer Akito Takagi discovers his talent, he begs Moritaka to team up with him as a manga-creating duo. But what exactly does it take to make it in the manga-publishing world? Moritaka is hesitant to seriously consider Akito's proposal because he knows how difficult reaching the professional level can be. Still, encouragement from persistent Akito and motivation from his crush push Moritaka to test his limits!

BL Metamorphosis story and art by Kaori Tsurutani

Ichinoi, a 75-year-old woman living a peaceful life, unwittingly buys a Boy’s Love manga one day…and is fascinated by what she finds inside. When she returns to the bookstore to buy the next volume, the high school girl working there–Urara, a seasoned BL fan–notices a budding fangirl when she sees one. When Urara offers to help Ichinoi explore this whole new world of fiction, the two dive into BL fandom together, and form an unlikely friendship along the way.

Blank Canvas: My So-Called Artist's Journey story and art by Akiko Higashimura; translation by Jenny McKeon; adaptation by Ysabet MacFarlane; lettering and layout by Lys Blakeslee

High schooler Akiko has big plans to become a popular mangaka before she even graduates, but she needs to get much better at drawing if she ever wants to reach her goal. Looking for an easy fix, she signs up for an art class, thinking all her problems will soon be solved. She's in for a surprise: her new instructor is a sword-wielding taskmaster who doesn't care about manga one bit. But maybe this unconventional art teacher is just what she needs to realize her dreams!

A Drifting Life by Yoshihiro Tatsumi; edited, designed, and lettered by Adrian Tomine; translated by Taro Nettleton

Spanning fifteen years from August of 1945 to June of 1960, Tatsumi's stand-in protagonist, Hiroshi, faces his father's financial burdens and his parents' failing marriage, his jealous brother's deteriorating health, and the innumerable pitfalls that await him in the competitive manga market of mid-twentieth-century Japan. He dreams of following in the considerable footsteps of his idol, manga artist Osamu Tezuka (Astro Boy, Apollo's Song, Ode to Kirihito, Buddha)—with whom Tatsumi eventually became peers and, at times, stylistic rivals.

Manga Dogs by Ema Toyama; translation by William Flanagan; lettering by Jennifer Skarupa; editing by Ben Applegate

Kanna Tezuka is a serious 15-year-old manga artist, already being published as a pro. So when she finds out her high school is starting a manga drawing course, even she gets excited. But it's a fiasco! The teacher is useless, and the only other students-- three pretty-boy artist wannabes-- quickly adopt Kanna as their (unwilling) sensei. But they all have ridiculous delusions about being an artist, and if Kanna can't bring them back down to Earth, she'll never get any work done!

Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun by Izumi Tsubaki; translation, Leighann Harvey; lettering, Lys Blakeslee

To the eyes of classmate Chiyo Sakura, high school student Umetarou Nozaki—brawny of build and brusque of tongue—is a dreamboat! When Chiyo finally works up the courage to tell Nozaki how she feels about him, she knows rejection is on the table ... but getting recruited as a mangaka's assistant?! Never in a million years! As Chiyo quickly discovers, Nozaki-kun, the boy of Chiyo's dreams, is a manga artist ... a hugely popular shoujo manga artist, that is! But for someone who makes a living drawing sweet girly romances, Nozaki-kun is a little slow on the uptake when it comes to matters of the heart in reality. And so Chiyo's daily life of manga making and heartache begins!

Satoshi Kon's Opus story and art by Satoshi Kon; edited by Carl Gustav Horn; translated by Zack Davisson; lettering and retouch by IHL

Opus is Kon's metafictional tale of Chikara Nagai, a creator under pressure to finish his latest graphic novel, Resonance, who finds that the harshest critic of the shock ending he's got planned is the character who'll have to die in it! Nagai's stregths and weaknesses as a creator are tested beyond their limits as his present and his past, and the worlds of the manga and of reality, become the levels of a maze he may never escape... let alone get a chance to resolve the story!

Skull-Face Bookseller Honda-san by Honda; translation by Amanda Haley; lettering by Bianca Pistillo

Ever wonder what it's like to sell comics at a Japanese bookstore? Honda provides a hilarious firsthand account from the front lines! Whether it's handling the store, out-of-print books, or enthusiastic manga fans, Honda takes on every challenge!

Still Sick by Akashi; translated by Katie Kimura; retouching and lettering by Vibrraant Publishing Studio.

Makoto Shimzu is just and ordinary office worker, blending in seamlessly with her colleagues on the job—that is, until her coworker Akane Maekawa discovers her well-hidden secret; in her spare time, she draws and sells girls' love comics. Akane is the last person Makoto would think of as a nerd, but as the two draw closer, it starts to seem like Akane may have a secret of her own…

Discover more recommended manga titles with these popular blog posts:

Celebrate Esther Day With These Fantastic YA Books About Friendship and Familial Love

Ariel Birdoff, MyLibraryNYC — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 08:31:54 -0400

Esther Day is a day of love. No, not romantic love. There's already a day for that in February. Esther Day is celebrated on August 3. It's a day to celebrate the love between your family (chosen or given) and friends. Before Esther Earl lost her battle with cancer, she was asked by friend and award-winning author John Green how she wanted the world to celebrate her birthday after she was gone. Esther said she:

"wanted it to be a day to celebrate love for family and friends by telling those who we are close to that we love them, even if it is sometimes difficult to say out loud."

So on August 3, tell your friends and family you love them, and check out my five favorite young adult books about friendship and family.

What are your favorite books about love?

You Should See Me In a Crown by Leah Johnson

Liz Lighty has always done her best to avoid the spotlight in her small, wealthy, and prom-obsessed midwestern high school, after all, her family is black and rather poor, especially since her mother died; instead she has concentrated on her grades and her musical ability in the hopes that it will win her a scholarship to elite Pennington College and their famous orchestra where she plans to study medicine—but when that scholarship falls through she is forced to turn to her school's scholarship for promking and queen, which plunges her into the gauntlet of social media which she hates and leads her to discoveries about her own identity and the value of true friendships.

Darius the Great is Not OK by Adib Khorram

Clinically-depressed Darius Kellner, a high school sophomore, travels to Iran to meet his grandparents, but it is their next-door neighbor, Sohrab, who changes his life.

Will Grayson Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

When two teens, one gay and one straight, meet accidentally and discover that they share the same name, their lives become intertwined as one begins dating the other's best friend, who produces a play revealing his relationship with them both.

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

In 1943, a British fighter plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France and the survivor tells a tale of friendship, war, espionage and great courage as she relates what she must do to survive while keeping secret all that she can.

The Inexplicable Logic of My Life by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Having believed he was happy with his place in the loving Mexican-American family he shares with his adoptive gay father, Sal turns angry and uncertain when his senior year arrives and he realizes that he wants to know more about his biological origins.

For more information about Esther Earl, check out: This Star Won't Go Out: The Life and Words of Esther Grace Earl

A collection of the journals, fiction, letters, and sketches of the late Esther Grace Earl, a young cancer patient who passed away in 2010 at the age of 16, includes photographs and essays by family and friends that help tell Esther's courageous story, along with an introduction by the award-winning author who dedicated his #1 best-selling novel, The Fault in Our Stars, to Esther.

Have trouble reading standard print? Many of these titles are available in formats for patrons with print disabilities.

Summaries provided via NYPL’s catalog, which draws from multiple sources. Click through to each book’s title for more.

Take a Walk On the Mild Side with Slice of Life Fantasy Manga

Amanda Pagan, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL) — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 11:47:24 -0400

If you were whisked away to live the rest of your life in a fantasy world, what would you do? While most fantasy stories tell us that it would be our destiny and duty to save our kingdom, not all of us are built for that. Some of us would prefer living out our lives as a mage in a small town rather than spending our time fighting demon lords. Or maybe instead of slaying dragons, you’d prefer to help them navigate through the pitfalls of fantasy world real estate.

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to live the non-adventuring life in a fantasy world, then we’ve got the perfect subgenre for you: Slice of Life Fantasy!

Sometimes our protagonists are reincarnated souls who were born in our world and then transported into a fantasy world (see: A Beginner’s Guide to Isekai). Sometimes not. Our story may simply follow fantasy creatures living in our world, or it may take place in a fairytale setting of swords and sorcery. Either way, these stories are more concerned with exploring the day-to-day reality of living with magic in a fantastical setting.

So if you’re ready to help a dragon find a home or to explore the realities of dungeon cuisine, then you’re ready for slice of life fantasy!

Slice of Life Fantasy Manga

Accomplishments of the Duke's Daughter story by Reia; art by Suki Umemiya; character design by Haduki Futaba; translation, Angela Liu

Iris, an otome game addict with no time for romance, gets hit by a truck after getting out of work–but instead of dying, she finds herself in the world of a game she’d played just hours earlier. However, she’s not reborn as the game’s protagonist, the main heartthrob of the harem. Instead, she starts her new life as the antagonist, right at the moment she’s being sent to live in a nunnery–for the rest of her life!

The Alchemist who Survived Now Dreams of Quiet City Life art by Guru Mizoguchi; written by Usata Nonohara; character design by Ox; translated by Erin Husson; lettering by Liz Kolkman

Alchemists used to be a dime a dozen in the Kingdom of Endalsia, so Mariela was never particularly special. But her skills were put to the test one fateful day when a horde of monsters came stampeding from the nearby forest. In a desperate attempt to escape the horror, the young alchemist put herself in a state of suspended animation that lasted just a little longer than she'd planned-an entire two hundred years! Needless to say, there have been some big changes, and biggest of all: Mariela is now the sole alchemist in the entire kingdom. Her one wish in this strange new environment is to get back her quiet, leisurely, low-key lifestyle!

Delicious in Dungeon by Ryoko Kui, translation by Taylor Engel, lettering by Abigail Blackman

When young adventurer Laios and his company are attacked and soundly thrashed by a dragon deep in a dungeon, the party loses all its money and provisions… and a member! They're eager to go back and save her, but there is just one problem: If they set out with no food or coin to speak of, they're sure to starve on the way! But Laios comes up with a brilliant idea: "Let's eat the monsters!" Slimes, basilisks, and even dragons…none are safe from the appetites of these dungeon-crawling gourmands!

Dragon Goes House-Hunting story by Kawo Tanuki; art by Choco Aya; translation, Nan Rymer; adaptation, T. Campbell; lettering, Alexandra Gunawan.

When a dragon fails to live up to the fearsome standards set for him, his family kicks him out. He embarks on a quest to find a new home, but soon finds that life on the road is no place for a cowardly beast of legend. In a fantasy world full of elves, dwarves, and other mythical creatures, where everyone wants a piece of him—literally!—the frustrations of house-hunting reach a whole new level.

Drifting Dragons by Taku Kuwabara; translation by Adam Hirsch; lettering by Thea Willis

Take to the skies with the scrappy crew of the airship Quin Zaza, as they hunt the fantastical giants that rule the skies of their world... DRAGONS! The daily routine aboard an airborne draking vessel springs to vivid life in this exquisitely crafted tale in the tradition of the lush, transporting fantasy of Hayao Miyazaki. Part travelogue, part imaginary cookbook, and part otherworldly slice of life, Drifting Dragons tells the stories of the Quin Zaza and the colorful band of misfits that makes up her crew.

Flying Witch by Chihiro Ishizuka; translation by Melissa Tanaka

Makoto Kowata, a novice witch, packs up her belongings (including her black cat familiar) and moves in with her distant cousins in rural Aomori to complete her training and become a full-fledged witch.

Generation Witch story and art by Uta Isaki; translation by Jill Morita; adaptation by Janet Houck

Take a peek into the daily lives of modern witches! In this magical collection, you'll find broomsticks, textbooks, love-sick high schoolers, and quirky fortune tellers. In this first tale, the apprentice to the great high witch saves her sister from bullies!

Giant Spider and Me: A Post-Apocalyptic Tale story and art by Kikori Morino, translation by Adrienne Beck, adaptation by Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane, lettering and retouching by Jennifer Sharupa

A young girl named Nagi and a giant spider make an unusual pair in this post-apocalyptic story. Living in the mountains is lonely and they've managed to find each other. Join them in their strangely sweet domestic bliss as they spend their days sharing tea and throwing picnics, proving that love (and delicious food) can bring together even the most unlikely of friends.

The Girl without a Face by tearontaron ; translation, Caleb D. Cook ; lettering, Bianca Pistillo.

Her boyfriend thinks she’s the cutest girl around, but her expressions can be a bit hard to read...Despite the miscommunications, there’s one thing that always comes across—their love for each other.

Hakumei & Mikochi: Tiny Little Life in the Woods by Takuto Kashiki; translation by Taylor Engel; lettering by Abigail Blackman

Deep within a lush, green forest live Hakumei and Mikochi. Making their home in trees, using leaves for umbrellas, and riding bugs for transportation is just part of everyday life for these tiny pals!

I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 years and Maxed Out My Level original story, Kisetsu Morita ; art [and adaptation], Yusuke Shiba ; character design, Benio ; translation: Jasmine Bernhardt ; lettering: Katie Blakeslee.

From corporate slave to a laid-back witch-reincarnation's a pretty sweet deal! Or so Azusa believes until her maxed-out status comes to light...In this new manga adaptation of the original novel, enjoy the hilarity that ensues as Azusa attempts to evade all forms of adventure and regain her lazy life!

Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits art by Waco Ioka; original story by Midori Yuma; character design by Laruha; English translation and adaptation by Tomo Kimura; touch-up art and lettering by Joanna Estep

Faced with the choice of being married to a strange spirit or being made into dinner, Aoi Tsubaki decides to create a third option for herself! Aoi inherited her grandfather’s ability to see spirits—and his massive debt to them! Now she’s been kidnapped and taken to Kakuriyo, the spirit world, to make good on his bill. Her options: marry the head of the inn her grandfather trashed or get eaten by ayakashi. But Aoi isn’t the type to let spirits push her around, and she’s determined to redeem her grandfather’s IOU on her own terms!

Little Devils story & art by Uuumi ; translation Jennifer O'Donnell.

Raising hell. When the hero Byron defeated the king of all devils, he thought his mission was over. But instead of dying, the mighty monarch was split into twelve, adorable, trouble-making children! Now Byron has a new mission: raise these little devils as if they were his own. Fatherhood may just be this hero's greatest challenge yet!

Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid, story and art by coolkyousinnjya; translation by Jenny McKeon; adaptation by Shanti Whitesides

Miss Kobayashi is your average office worker who lives alone in her small apartment―until a young and adorable dragon girl named Tooru appears before her. Upon saving Tooru’s life, the feisty dragon will do anything to pay off her debt of gratitude, including insisting that she move in with Miss Kobayashi, and serve her in any way she does or doesn’t desire. Now Miss Kobayashi finds herself with a new, imposing roommate who is doing her best to help out around the home. But when you’re a dragon, nothing is ever simple. Kobayashi’s normal life just went off the deep end.

My Father is a Unicornstory and art by Monaka Suzuki; translation by Nova Skipper; adaptation by Jay Trust

Uno Issei is still in high school when his mother remarries. His mom’s new husband, Masaru, is a nice enough guy, he just happens to be a unicorn. Sometimes in the form of a talking horse, sometimes in the form of a beautiful man, Masaru is determined to run the household while his wife is away and win Issei over. For better or worse, now Issei is stuck teaching this unicorn man how to be a good dad in this idiosyncratic comedy about the magic of family.

My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! story by Satoru Yamaguchi; art by Nami Hidaka

A high school girl is stunned to find herself reincarnated as the conniving villainess from her favorite dating sim game, Fortune Lover. Now, as Catarina Claes, the impossibly rich and spoiled daughter of a Duke, her new life seems to perfectly sync up with the world of the game. This means big trouble! No matter how the game turned out, there were only two fates for Catarina: exile or death!

A Witch's Printing Office story byMochinchi; art by Yasuhiro Miyama; translation by Amber Tamosaitis; lettering by Erin Hickman

What nerd wouldn't enjoy exploring an RPG-style world? Not Mika Kamiya! She was just about to enjoy her post-Comic Market haul when fate whisked her away to a fantasy land. All Mika wants is to find a way home, so she's hunting for spells-but rather than search all over, they'll be coming to her to attend her magical-book-selling event, Magic Market! With a very "animated" catalog of guests, eccentric attendees, and out-of-control lines, what could possibly go wrong?!

Discover more recommended manga titles with these popular blog posts:

Did we miss a title? Feel free to comment below with any titles that we missed or make a recommendation for the collection here!

Summaries provided via NYPL’s catalog, which draws from multiple sources. Click through to each book’s title for more.

10 YA Thrillers for Fans of Cruel Summer

Carrie McBride, Communications — Thu, 08 Jul 2021 15:56:56 -0400

Our teen years are already fraught—changing bodies, heightened emotions and hormones, shifting social alliances—but throw in a kidnapping, a bombshell accusation, and a media-scrutinized court case and you've got the thrilling psychological tv drama Cruel Summer. While you wait for a second season, we have some suspenseful YA books to suggest that will satisfy a craving for deception, secrecy, and the slow unraveling of the truth.

The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas

There are no more cheerleaders in the town of Sunnybrook. First there was the car accident—two girls dead after hitting a tree on a rainy night. Not long after, the murders happened. Those two girls were killed by the man next door. The police shot him, so no one will ever know his reasons. Monica's sister was the last cheerleader to die. After her suicide, Sunnybrook High disbanded the cheer squad. No one wanted to be reminded of the girls they'd lost.That was five years ago. Now the faculty and students at Sunnybrook High want to remember the lost cheerleaders. But for Monica, it's not that easy. She just wants to forget. Only, Monica's world is starting to unravel. There are the letters in her stepdad's desk, an unearthed, years-old cell phone, a strange new friend at school. Whatever happened five years ago isn't over. Some people in town know more than they're saying. And somehow, Monica is at the center of it all

Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson

Suicide Notes from Beautiful Girls by Lynn Weingarten

They say Delia burned burned herself to death in her stepfather's shed, but June does not believe it was suicide because she and Delia used to be closer than anything, but one night a year ago, everything changed when they and June's boyfriend Ryan let their good time get out of hand, and now, a year later, June owes it to Delia to know if her best friend committed suicide or was murdered.

The Best Lies by Sarah Lyu

Remy Tsai used to know how her story would turn out. But now, she doesn't even know what tomorrow will look like. She was happy once. Remy had her boyfriend Jack, and Elise, her best friend, her soulmate, who understood her better than anyone else in the world. But now Jack is dead, shot through the chest. And it was Elise who pulled the trigger. Was it self-defense? Or something darker than anything Remy could imagine? As the police investigate, Remy does the same, sifting through her own memories, looking for a scrap of truth that could save the friendship that means everything to her.

Ace of Spades by Faridah Abike-iyimide

When two Niveus Private Academy students, Devon Richards and Chiamaka Adebayo, are selected to be part of the elite school’s senior class prefects, it looks like their year is off to an amazing start. After all, not only does it look great on college applications, but it officially puts each of them in the running for valedictorian, too. Shortly after the announcement is made, though, someone who goes by Aces begins using anonymous text messages to reveal secrets about the two of them that turn their lives upside down and threaten every aspect of their carefully planned futures. As Aces shows no sign of stopping, what seemed like a sick prank quickly turns into a dangerous game, with all the cards stacked against them. Can Devon and Chiamaka stop Aces before things become incredibly deadly?

I Hope You're Listening by Tom Ryan

In her small town, seventeen year-old Delia "Dee" Skinner is known as the girl who wasn't taken. Ten years ago, she witnessed the abduction of her best friend, Sibby. And though she told the police everything she remembered, it wasn’t enough. Sibby was never seen again. At night, Dee deals with her guilt by becoming someone else: the Seeker, the voice behind the popular true crime podcast Radio Silent, which features missing persons cases and works with online sleuths to solve them. Nobody knows Dee’s the Seeker, and she plans to keep it that way. When another little girl goes missing, and the case is linked to Sibby’s disappearance, Dee has a chance to get answers, with the help of her virtual detectives and the intriguing new girl at school. But how much is she willing to reveal about herself in order to uncover the truth? Dee’s about to find out what’s really at stake in unraveling the mystery of the little girls who vanished.

People Like Us by Dana Mele

Kay Donovan may have skeletons in her closet, but the past is past, and she's reinvented herself entirely. Now she's a star soccer player whose group of gorgeous friends run their private school with effortless popularity and acerbic wit. But when a girl's body is found in the lake, Kay's carefully constructed life begins to topple. The dead girl has left Kay a computer-coded scavenger hunt, which, as it unravels, begins to implicate suspect after suspect, until Kay herself is in the crosshairs of a murder investigation. But if Kay's finally backed into a corner, she'll do what it takes to survive. Because at Bates Academy, the truth is something you make...not something that happened.

Neverworld Wake by Marisha Pessl

A former in-crowd member returns to her hometown a year after graduating from high school to investigate unsolved questions about her genius boyfriend's shocking death, only to be approached by a mysterious stranger who challenges her circle of friends to make a harsh decision to avoid becoming trapped in time. Five friends. Only one can survive the Neverworld Wake. Who would you choose?

Fake ID by Lamar Giles

Nick Pearson is hiding in plain sight. In fact, his name isn't really Nick Pearson. He shouldn't tell you his real name, his real hometown, or why his family just moved to Stepton, Virginia. And he definitely shouldn't tell you about his friend Eli Cruz and the major conspiracy Eli was uncovering when he died. About how Nick had to choose between solving Eli's murder with his hot sister, Reya, and "staying low-key" like the Program said to do. But he's going to tell you—unless he gets caught first. . . .

The Mary Shelley Club by Goldy Moldavsky

New girl Rachel Chavez turns to horror movies for comfort, preferring stabby serial killers and homicidal dolls to the bored rich kids of Manhattan Prep...and to certain memories she’d preferred to keep buried. Then Rachel is recruited by the Mary Shelley Club, a mysterious society of students who orchestrate Fear Tests, elaborate pranks inspired by urban legends and movie tropes. At first, Rachel embraces the power that comes with reckless pranking. But as the Fear Tests escalate, the competition turns deadly, and it’s clear Rachel is playing a game she can’t afford to lose.

Summaries provided via NYPL’s catalog, which draws from multiple sources. Click through to each book’s title for more.

High School Never Ends: School Life Manga

Amanda Pagan, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL) — Fri, 02 Jul 2021 14:20:09 -0400

If you’re a fan of love triangles, afternoon clubs, and general acts of over-the-top tomfoolery, then you’re probably a fan of School Life manga. It’s exactly what it sounds like: manga that take place in or revolves around schools, usually middle or high school.

Battle manga may be the bread and butter of the manga world, but school life manga are just as all consuming. The turbulent teenage years are prime fodder for stories that explore burgeoning feelings of love, anger, resentment, and self-actualization. Without the pressures of adult life, teens are free to act impulsively and whole-heartedly. They can devote themselves completely to their favorite after-school club or spend their time learning from experienced mentors. With so many different personalities crammed into one classroom, things are bound to get interesting!

Because any genre can be a school life manga, readers can have fun jumping from stories about kids training to be top notch assassins to the shenanigans that go on at the Ouran High School Host Club. Romantic comedies, serious coming of age dramas, and high-octane battle academies await!

School-Based Manga

Again!! by Mitsurou Kubo; translated by Rose Padgett; lettering by E.K. Weaver; lettering assistance by James Dashiell

What would you do if you had the chance to do everything… again? Kinichiro isn’t even that bad. It’s just that on the first day of high school, his eyes made him look shifty, so people assumed he was trouble. Now it’s graduation, and he’s looking back on three years with no friends. He never even joined a club. But after a bloody collision and an accidental fall, he wakes up a high school freshman, with the chance to try it all over… AGAIN!!

Aho-Girl by Hiroyuki; translated by Karen McGillicuddy; lettering by Maggie Vicknair

Yoshiko is a hopelessly clueless high school girl. Her rock-paper-scissors strategy is “rock.” She somehow gets zeroes on multiple-choice tests. And she has an often-nearly-fatal weakness for bananas. Her devoted friends have no choice but to hang around and make sure nobody takes advantage of her. (Of course, the entertainment value might have something to do with it, too.) Cute characters, weird gags, and lots and lots of bananas!

Assassination Classroom story and art by Yusei Matsui

The students in Class 3-E of Kunugigaoka Junior High have a new teacher: an alien octopus with bizarre powers and unlimited strength, who's just destroyed the moon and is threatening to destroy the earth--unless they can kill him first! Meet the would-be assassins of class 3-E: Sugino, who let his grades slip and got kicked off the baseball team. Karma, who's doing well in his classes but keeps getting suspended for fighting. And Okuda, who lacks both academic and social skills, yet excels at one subject: chemistry. Who has the best chance of winning that reward? Will the deed be accomplished through pity, brute force or poison...? And what chance does their teacher have of repairing his students' tattered self-esteem?

Beastars story and art by Paru Itagaki; translation by Tomoko Kimura; English adaptation by Annette Roman; touch-up and lettering by Susan Daigle-Leach

At a high school where the students are literally divided into predators and prey, it's personal relationships that maintain the fragile peace. Who among them is a Beastar, an academic and social role model destined to become a leader in a society naturally rife with mistrust?

Blue Exorcist by Kazue Kato; translation and English adaptation by John Werry

Boys Run the Riot by Keito Gaku; translation, Leo McDonagh; lettering, Ashley Caswell.

High schooler Ryo knows he's transgender, but he doesn't have anyone to confide in about the confusion he feels. He can't tell his best friend, who he's secretly got a crush on, and he can't tell his mom, who's constantly asking why Ryo 'dresses like a boy.' He certainly can't tell Jin, the new transfer student who looks like just another bully. The only time Ryo feels at ease is when he's wearing his favorite clothes. Then, and only then, the world melts away, and he can be his true self. One day, while out shopping, Ryo sees someone he didn't expect: Jin. The kid who looked so tough in class has the same taste in fashion as him! At last, Ryo has someone he can open up to, and the journey ahead might finally give him a way to express himself to the world.

Daytime Shooting Star story and art by Mika Yamamori; translation by JN Productions; touch up art and lettering, Inori Fukuka Trant

After arriving in Tokyo to live with her uncle, Suzume collapses in a nearby park when she remembers once seeing a shooting star during the day. A handsome stranger brings her to her new home and tells her they'll meet again. Suzume starts her first day at her new high school sitting next to a boy who blushes furiously at her touch. And her homeroom teacher is none other than the handsome stranger!

Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma story by Yuto Tsukuda; art by Shun Saeki; translation by Adrienne Beck

When Soma Yukihira's father enrolls him in a classy culinary school, Soma must learn if he can make the grade in such a prestigious environment.

The Golden Sheep by Kaori Ozaki; translation Daniel Komen

Tsugu, Sora, Yuushin and Asari were the best of friends in grade school. For a few years Tsugu moves away and returns back in high school. She is happy to be reunited and believes that her friends didn't change, but that doesn't turn out to be the case.... A story about coming of age, friendship and the growth of 4 high schoolers.

Horimiya = Hori-san and Miyamura-kun by Daisuke Hagiwara; translation by Taylor Engel; lettering by Alexis Eckerman

"A sweet 'aww'-inspiring tale of school life begins!! At school, Kyouko Hori is known for being smart, attractive, and popular. On the other hand, her classmate, the boring, gloomy Izumi Miyamura, tends to get painted as a 'loser fanboy.' But when a liberally pierced and tattooed (not to mention downright gorgeous) Miyamura appears unexpectedly on the doorstep of secretly plain-Jane homebody Hori, these two similarly dissimilar teenagers discover that there are multiple sides to every story... and person!

I am Here! By Ema Toyama; translated and adapted by Joshua Weeks; lettered by North Market Street Graphics

Invisible to her classmates, Hikage Sumino is an eighth grader with no self-esteem. Her only friends are the visitors to her Internet blog. One day, the most popular boy in the grade suddenly talks to her. Encouraged by this twist of fate, Hikage determines to transform her life.

Komi Can't Communicate story and art by Tomohito Oda; English translation and adaptation by John Werry; touch-up art and lettering by Eva Grandt

Socially anxious high school student Shoko Komi would love to make friends, but her shyness is interpreted as reserve, and the other students keep her at a distance. Only timid Tadano realizes the truth, and despite his own desire to blend in, he decides to help her achieve her goal of making 100 friends.

Orange story and art by Ichigo Takano; translation by Amber Tamosaitis; adaptation byShannon Fay; lettering and layout by Lys Blakeslee

Everyone has regrets in life. So who wouldn't take the chance to change the past if given the opportunity? When sixteen-year-old Takamiya Naho receives a mysterious letter, claiming to be from her twenty-seven-year-old self, her life is suddenly thrown into flux. The letter informs her that a new transfer student by the name of Naruse Kakeru will be joining her class, and to keep her eye on him. What is Naho to make of the letter's contents and its cryptic warning?

Sayonara Football by Naoshi Arakawa; translation by Devon Corwin; lettering by Allen Berry; additional layout and lettering by Belynda Ungurath

Midori and Sumire are soccer stars at rival middle schools, destined to collide : one's a striker, the other's a goalie. But the two girls end up in the same high school, with a lazy coach and a bizarre teammate, Nozomi, who brags that she's a soccer prodigy but can't seem to stop kicking the ball into her own goal. To become champions, Midori and Sumire will have to get over their rivalry and work some magic on the field—not to mention the challenges of growing up.

Those Not-so-Sweet Boys by Yoko Nogiri; translation by Alethea Nibley and Athena Nibley; lettering by Sara Linsley

Midori drops her wallet on her first day of high school, but her new classmate Ichijo swoops in to help. She wants to thank him, but he’s part of a tight-knit trio and none of them are ever in class! Rumor has it that they all got expelled for acting up, and studious Midori’s actually at risk of expulsion, too… In order to help support her family, she has a part-time job, which is against the school rules. When the chairman of the school board catches her leaving work, he says he’ll let it go—but only if she’s up to the task of bringing the three boys back to school. Well, why not? It’ll be a piece of cake…right?

School Life Romantic Comedies

Anonymous Noise story and art by Ryoko Fukuyama; English translation and adaptation by JN Productions; touch-up art and lettering by Joanna Estep

Nino Arisugawa, a girl who loves to sing, experiences her first heart-wrenching goodbye when her beloved childhood friend, Momo, moves away. And after Nino befriends Yuzu, a music composer, she experiences another sad parting! Both boys promised Nino that they would find her one day through her singing, so she holds on to that hope and continues to reach out with her voice. Now in high school, Nino serendipitously reunites with Yuzu, but she yearns to see Momo again.

Bloom into You story and art by Nakatani Nio; translation by Jenny McKeon; adaptation by Jenn Grunigen; lettering and retouching by CK Russell

Yuu has always loved shoujo manga and yearns for the day when someone might give her a love confession that would send her heart aflutter. Yet when a junior high school classmate confesses his feelings to her--she feels nothing. Disappointed and confused, Yuu enters high school, where she sees the confident and beautiful student council member Nanami. When the next person to confess to Yuu is Nanami herself, has her romantic dream finally come true?

Boarding School Juliet by Yousuke Kaneda; translation by Amanda Haley; lettering by James Dashiell

The prestigious Dahlia Academy educates the elite of society from two countries: to the East is the Nation of Touwa; across the sea, the Principality of West. The nations, though, are fierce rivals, and their students are constantly feuding—which means Romio Inuzuka, head of Touwa's first-year students, has a problem. He's fallen for his counterpart from West, Juliet Persia, and when he can't take it anymore, he confesses his feelings. Now Romio has two problems: a girlfriend, and a secret...

Kaguya-sama: Love is War story and art by Aka Akasaka; translation by Emi Louie-Nishikawa; English adaptation by Annette Roman; touch-up art and lettering by Stephen Duro

Two geniuses. Two brains. Two hearts. One battle. Who will confess their love first...?! As leaders of their prestigious academy's student councilm Kaguya and Miyuki are the elite of the elite! But it's lonely at the top... Luckily for them, they've fallen in love! There's just one problem—they both have too much pride to admit it. And so begins the daily scheming to get the object of their affection to confess their romantic feelings first... Love is a war you win by losing.

Kimi ni Todoke = From Me to You story and art by Karuho Shiina; translation by Tomo Kimura

Sawako Kuronuma is the perfect heroine...for a horror movie. With striking similarities to a haunting movie character—jet-black hair, sinister smile and silent demeanor—she's mistakenly called Sadako by those around her. But behind her scary façade is a very misunderstood teenager. Too shy to fit in, all she wants to do is make some friends. But when the most popular boy in class befriends her, she's sure to make more than just that—she's about to make some enemies too!

Kiss Him, Not Me by Junko; translation by David Rhie; lettering by Hiroko Mizuno

Hi there! My name is Serinuma Kae. I’m the kind of girl who loves checking out boys and fantasizing about them getting friendly (and more) with each other—I’m what you might call a fujoshi. One day, my beloved (yes, he’s an anime character) died, and the shock of it all was more than I could have ever prepared for! My grief over his passing resulted in some ridiculous weight loss! And you won’t believe what happened next! Soon after my change, the four most divinely gorgeous boys in my school asked me out on dates! I accepted them all, and you’d think I’d be happy with my sudden popularity, but the truth is, my heart only yearns for a prince to be next to his prince. Ahh, yes, boys, I’d much prefer that you turn your affections elsewhere and kiss him, not me!

Love in Focus by Yoko Nogiri; translationby Alethea and Athena Nibley

Mako’s always had a passion for photography. When she loses someone dear to her, she clings to her art as a relic of the close relationship she once had … Luckily, her childhood best friend Kei encourages her to come to his high school and join their prestigious photo club. With nothing to lose, Mako grabs her camera and moves into the dorm where Kei and his classmates live. Soon, a fresh take on life, along with a mysterious new muse, begin to come into focus!

My Monster Secret: Actually I Am story and art by Eiji Masuda; translation by Alethea and Athena Nibley; adaptation by Lianne Sentar

High school student Kuromine Asahi is the kind of guy who literally cannot tell a lie.Whether it’s trying to maintain a poker face in a simple game of cards, or keeping scurrilous gossip to himself, Asahi is a total failure when it comes to the art of deception. So what happens when he stumbles upon the most shocking secret of his life? When Asahi learns that Shiragami Youko, a beautiful girl of few words, is actually a vampire. Can Asahi possibly keep his lips sealed?

Nameless Asterism story and art by Kina Kobayashi; translation by Jenny McKeon; adaptation by Lora Gray; lettering and retouching by Ray Steeves

Tsukasa, Nadeshiko, and Mikage have been inseparable since they began junior high, but Tsukasa has a secret she’s been keeping from her best friends–she actually has a big crush on Nadeshiko! Not wanting to risk their friendship, she planned to keep it a secret forever, but when Tsukasa learns that Nadeshiko has a crush on Mikage, her desire to support her friends now conflicts with her own feelings. First love blossoms in unexpected ways for these three young women and their circle of friends.

O Maidens in Your Savage Season story by Mari Okada; art by Nao Emoto

As a teen, how do you start thinking about sex? This debut manga from anime legend Mari Okada (Maquia) follows five girls and their five moving, funny, and mortifying answers. Join their bittersweet (and a little spicy) journey from girlhood to … whatever comes next! Kazusa’s first high school literature club meeting starts with five girls being asked, “What’s one thing you want to do before you die?” When one of them blurts out, “Sex,” it launches these new friends down a raucous, embarrassing, all-too-relatable path.

Ouran High School Host Club story and art by Bisco Hatori; English adaptation by Gary Leach; translation by Kenichiro Yagi

In this screwball romantic comedy, a poor girl at a rich kids' school ends up working for the school's swankiest club—and gets mistaken for a boy!

Our Wonderful Days = Tsurezure Biyori story and art by Kei Hamuro; translation by Katrina Leonoudakis; lettering and retouching by Erika Terriquez

As children, Koharu and Mafuyu were best buds until Mafuyu moved away to Tokyo. But now, several years have passed and Mafuyu is back, attending the same high school as Koharu. As the two girls explore their sleepy hometown, Koharu can’t help but develop a crush on her childhood best friend…

Say I Love You by Kanae Hazuki; translation by Alethea and Athena Nibley; lettering by John Clark; editing by Ben Applegate

Mei Tachibana has no friends—and she doesn't need them! Ever since her "friends" betrayed her in elementary school, she's sworn off friendship entirely. All it leads to is betrayal and heartbreak, and she's well enough on her own. But everything changes when she accidentally roundhouse kicks the most popular boy in school! However, Yamato Kurosawa isn't angry in the slightest—in fact, he thinks his ordinary life could use an unusual girl like Mei! He won't take no for an answer, and soon Mei and Yamato embark on an unwanted friendship that will change both of them forever.

Shikimori's Not Just a Cutie by Keigo Maki; translation by Karen McGillicuddy; lettering by Mercedes McGarry

A high school romantic comedy with a sassy twist that follows the daily life of Izumi and his amazing but sometimes intimidating girlfriend Shikimori.

Strobe Edge story and art by Io Sakisaka; English adaptation by Yesabet MacFarlane; translation by JN Productions; touch-up art and lettering by John Hunt

What is love, anyway? Ninako Kinoshita's friends tell her it's one thing, but Ninako wonders what this mysterious feeling really is. When she meets Ren Ichinose, the handsome, enigmatic guy that all the girls worship, her life takes an unexpected turn. With just a few words and a smile, Ren changes her world… then Ninako's friend Daiki throws her for a loop when he expresses romantic interest in her. She cares for him, but can she return his feelings? As she tries to sort out her confusion, Ninako realizes there are many different facets of love—strange and wondrous.

Sweet Blue Flowers story and art by Takako Shimura; translation and adaptation by John Werry; touch-up art and lettering by Monalisa De Asis

Akira Okudaira is starting high school and is ready for exciting new experiences. And on the first day of school, she runs into her best friend from kindergarten at the train station. Now Akira and Fumi have the chance to rekindle their friendship, but life has gotten a lot more complicated since they were kids. Fumi is glad Akira is back in her life. Even in kindergarten, Akira knew how to stand up for herself, and she was always willing to stand up for Fumi too. But Fumi's first love recently got married, and Fumi is grappling with a broken heart and the fact that her sweetheart was another woman. Can Akira's open heart help dispel the gloom Fumi has been caught up in?

Tomo-chan is a Girl! story and art by Fumita Yanagida; translation by Jennifer O'Donnell; adaptation by T. Campbell; lettering and retouching by Carolina Hernández Mendoza

Boyish high school girl Aizawa Tomo finally manages to tell her childhood friend Jun that she's got a crush on him. Unfortunately, her confession goes right over his head—he didn't even realize she was a girl until middle school, and even now, Jun still thinks of her as a bro! How can Tomo-chan possibly convince him otherwise and win Jun's heart?

A Tropical Fish Yearns for Snow story and art by Makoto Hagino; English translation and adaptation by John Werry; touch-up art and lettering, by Eve Grandt

When her dad gets a job overseas, Konatsu Amano has to leave the Tokyo life she's always known and relocate to a small seaside town to stay with her aunt. The move also means starting a new school surrounded by complete strangers, and it's a lot to handle for a girl who has trouble with change. But on her first day in her new town, Konatsu is instantly drawn to Koyuki, an older girl who is the sole member of the Aquarium Club. Konatsu's introverted tendencies are hard for her to overcome, but maybe she's found something worth coming out of her shell for?

Waiting for Spring by Anashin; translation by Alethea and Athena Nibley; lettering by Sara Linsley

Mizuki is a shy girl who’s about to enter high school, and vows to open herself up to new friendships. Of course, the four stars of the boys’ basketball team weren’t exactly the friends she had in mind! Yet, when they drop by the café where she works, the five quickly hit it off. Soon she’s been accidentally thrust into the spotlight, targeted by jealous girls. And will she expand her mission to include … love?

That Wolf-boy is Mine! By Yoko Nogiri; translation, Alethea and Athena Nibley ; lettering, Sara Linsley ; editing, Haruko Hashimoto.

After some traumatic experiences, Komugi Kusunoki has transferred from the city to start a new life in rural Hokkaido. But on her first day of school, the school heartthrob Yū Ōgami blurts out, 'You smell good!' Despite the hijinks, Komugi tries to adjust to her new school, but it's not long before she stumbles across Yū dozing off under a tree. When she attempts to wake him up, he transforms...into a wolf?! It turns out that Yū is one of several eccentric boys in her year--and she's the only one who knows their secret!

School Life Comedy

Azumanga Daioh by Kiyohiko Azuma; translation by Stephen Paul; lettering by Hope Donovan

The best high school stories are simultaneously funny, warm, and endearing—but most importantly, the characters come alive on the page. Get to know the girls who set a new standard for the high school experience! The original phenomenon from Kiyohiko Azuma, beloved creator of YOTSUBA&!, is collected in this deluxe edition and is an absolute necessity for any manga enthusiast's library!

Interviews with Monster Girls by Petos; translation by Kevin Steinbach; lettering by Paige Pumphrey

Vampires, dullahans, succubi, snow women. These are just a few of those beings once known as "demi-humans," and high school Biology teacher Testsuo Takahashi has always wanted to meet them. He gets his chance when the new term starts, and there are four "demis" in his school! Join the caring, bumbling Tetsuo in his quest to get to know these adorable monster girls, while helping them navigate the highs and lows of high school!

My Neighbor Seki = Tonari no Seki-kun by Morishige Takuma; translation by Yoshito Hinton

Toshinari Seki takes goofing off to new heights. Every day, on or around his school desk, he masterfully creates his own little worlds of wonder, often hidden to most of his classmates. Unfortunately for Rumi Yokoi, his neighbor at the back of their homeroom, his many games, dioramas, and projects are often way too interesting to ignore; even when they are hurting her grades.

Nichijou = My Ordinary Life by Keiichi Awawi; translation by Jenny McKeon

In this just-surreal-enough take on the 'school genre' of manga, a group of friends (which includes a robot built by a child professor) grapple with all sorts of unexpected situations in their daily lives as high schoolers. The gags, jokes, puns and haiku keep this series off-kilter even as the characters grow and change. Check out this new take on a storied genre and meet the new ordinary.

No Matter How I Look at It, It's You Guys' Fault I'm Not Popular! by Nico Tanigawa; translation and adaptation by Krista Shipley and Karie Shipley; lettering by Lys Blakeslee

Tomoko Kuroki naturally assumed she'd be popular when she got to high school—but then cold, hard reality swooped in for the attack! Turns out all the popularity points she'd racked up in her video game dating sims are worth squat in real life, and Tomoko's far from prepared to navigate high school! How can she possibly hope to impress her classmates when she can't even talk to them?! A new high-school heroine is born (maybe?)!

Prison School by Akira Hiramoto; translation by Ko Ransom; lettering by Anthony Quintessenza

Note: Sex Comedy

On the outskirts of Tokyo stands Hachimitsu Private Academy, an all-girls boarding school for elite young women. But as the new school year rolls around, one tradition is going out the window: For the first time in the school's long history, boys are being allowed to enroll. On the first day of school, though, it turns out only five boys have made the cut. Thrilled by this discovery, these young men's adolescent hearts leap with joy at the thought of being surrounded by all those girls, but little do the five boys suspect the shocking fate that awaits them…

Toilet-bound Hanako-kun by Aidalro; translation by Alethea Nibley and Athena Nibley; lettering byJesse Moriarty and Tania Biswas

At Kamome Academy, rumors abound about the school's Seven Mysteries, one of which is Hanako-san. Said to occupy the third stall of the third floor girls' bathroom in the old school building, Hanako-san grants any wish when summoned. Nene Yashiro, an occult-loving high school girl who dreams of romance, ventures into this haunted bathroom... but the Hanako-san she meets there is nothing like she imagined! Kamome Academy's Hanako-san...is a boy!

Discover more recommended manga titles with these popular blog posts:

Did we miss a title? Feel free to comment below with any titles that we missed or make a recommendation for the collection here!

Summaries provided via NYPL’s catalog, which draws from multiple sources. Click through to each book’s title for more.

12 Great LGBTQ YA Books You Haven't Read Yet

Alex Kohn, YA Information Assistant, Mulberry Street Library — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 14:34:49 -0400

Ready to move on from LGBTQ YA Classics? There's no better time than Pride Month to discover a new favorite book. Below are some fantastic queer YA books that you probably haven't read yet. Almost all of these books are available in a variety of formats such as large print, e-books, and audiobooks.

Dreadnought by April Daniels

Until Dreadnought fell out of the sky and died right in front of her, Danny was trying to keep people from finding out she’s transgender. But before he expired, Dreadnought passed his mantle to her, and those secondhand superpowers transformed Danny’s body into what she’s always thought it should be. Now there’s no hiding that she’s a girl. It should be the happiest time of her life, but Danny’s first weeks finally living in a body that fits her are more difficult than she could have imagined. Between her father’s dangerous obsession with “curing” her girlhood, her best friend suddenly acting like he’s entitled to date her, and her fellow superheroes arguing over her place in their ranks, Danny feels like she’s in over her head. Dreadnought’s murderer—a cyborg named Utopia—still haunts the streets of New Port City, threatening destruction. If Danny can’t sort through the confusion of coming out, master her powers, and stop Utopia in time, humanity faces extinction.

The Fever King by Victoria Lee

In the former United States, sixteen-year-old Noam Álvaro wakes up in a hospital bed, the sole survivor of the viral magic that killed his family and made him a technopath. His ability to control technology attracts the attention of the minister of defense and thrusts him into the magical elite of the nation of Carolinia. The son of undocumented immigrants, Noam has spent his life fighting for the rights of refugees fleeing magical outbreaks—refugees Carolinia routinely deports with vicious efficiency. Sensing a way to make change, Noam accepts the minister’s offer to teach him the science behind his magic, secretly planning to use it against the government. But then he meets the minister’s son—cruel, dangerous, and achingly beautiful—and the way forward becomes less clear. Caught between his purpose and his heart, Noam must decide who he can trust and how far he’s willing to go in pursuit of the greater good.

In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan

The Borderlands aren’t like anywhere else. Don’t try to smuggle a phone or any other piece of technology over the wall that marks the Border—unless you enjoy a fireworks display in your backpack. There are elves, harpies, and—best of all as far as Elliot is concerned—mermaids. Elliot? Who’s Elliot? Elliot is thirteen years old. He’s smart and just a tiny bit obnoxious. When his class goes on a field trip and he can see a wall that no one else can see, he is given the chance to go to school in the Borderlands. It turns out that on the other side of the wall, classes involve a lot more weaponry and fitness training and fewer mermaids than he expected. On the other hand, there’s Serene-Heart-in-the-Chaos-of-Battle, an elven warrior who is more beautiful than anyone Elliot has ever seen, and then there’s her human friend Luke: sunny, blond, and annoyingly likeable. There are lots of interesting books. There’s even the chance Elliot might be able to change the world.

The Last True Poets of the Sea by Julia Drake

The Larkin family isn't just lucky—they persevere. When the Lyric sank off the coast of Maine, Violet and Sam's great-great-great-grandmother didn't drown like the rest of the passengers. Fidelia swam to shore, fell in love, and founded Lyric, Maine. But wrecks seem to run in the family. Tall, funny, musical Violet can't stop partying with the wrong people. And, one beautiful summer day, brilliant, sensitive Sam attempts to take his own life. Shipped back to Lyric while Sam is in treatment, Violet is haunted by her family's missing piece—the lost shipwreck she and Sam dreamed of discovering when they were children. Desperate to make amends, Violet embarks on a wildly ambitious mission: locate the Lyric. She finds a fellow wreck hunter in Liv Stone, an amateur local historian whose sparkling intelligence and guarded gray eyes make Violet ache in an exhilarating new way. Whether or not they find the Lyric, the journey Violet takes may be the start of something like survival.

Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker, art by Wendy Xu

Nova Huang knows more about magic than your average teen witch. She works at her grandmothers' bookshop, where she helps them loan out spell books and investigate any supernatural occurrences in their New England town. One fateful night, she follows reports of a white wolf into the woods, and she comes across the unexpected: her childhood crush, Tam Lang, battling a horse demon in the woods. As a werewolf, Tam has been wandering from place to place for years, unable to call any town home. Pursued by dark forces eager to claim the magic of wolves and out of options, Tam turns to Nova for help. Their latent feelings are rekindled against the backdrop of witchcraft, untested magic, occult rituals, and family ties both new and old in this enchanting tale of self-discovery.

Not Your Sidekick by C.B. Lee

Welcome to Andover… where superpowers are common, but internships are complicated. Just ask high school nobody, Jessica Tran. Despite her heroic lineage, Jess is resigned to a life without superpowers and is merely looking to beef-up her college applications when she stumbles upon the perfect (paid!) internship—only it turns out to be for the town’s most heinous supervillain. On the upside, she gets to work with her longtime secret crush, Abby, who Jess thinks may have a secret of her own. Then there’s the budding attraction to her fellow intern, the mysterious “M,” who never seems to be in the same place as Abby. But what starts as a fun way to spite her superhero parents takes a sudden and dangerous turn when she uncovers a plot larger than heroes and villains altogether.

Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst

Betrothed since childhood to the prince of Mynaria, Princess Dennaleia has always known what her future holds. Her marriage will seal the alliance between Mynaria and her homeland, protecting her people from other hostile lands. But Denna has a secret. She possesses an Affinity for fire—a dangerous gift for the future queen of a kingdom where magic is forbidden. Now, Denna must learn the ways of her new home while trying to hide her growing magic. To make matters worse, she must learn to ride Mynaria’s formidable warhorses—and her teacher is the person who intimidates her most, the prickly and unconventional Princess Amaranthine—called Mare—the sister of her betrothed. When a shocking assassination leaves the kingdom reeling, Mare and Denna reluctantly join forces to search for the culprit. As the two become closer, Mare is surprised by Denna’s intelligence and bravery, while Denna is drawn to Mare’s independent streak. And soon their friendship is threatening to blossom into something more.

Once and Future by A.R. Capetta and Cori McCarthy

When Ari crash-lands on Old Earth and pulls a magic sword from its ancient resting place, she is revealed to be the newest reincarnation of King Arthur. Then she meets Merlin, who has aged backward over the centuries into a teenager, and together they must break the curse that keeps Arthur coming back. Their quest? Defeat the cruel, oppressive government and bring peace and equality to all humankind. No pressure.

Orpheus Girl by Brynne Rebele-Henry

Abandoned by a single mother she never knew, 16-year-old Raya—obsessed with ancient myths—lives with her grandmother in a small conservative Texas town. For years Raya has been forced to hide her feelings for her best friend and true love, Sarah. When the two are outed, they are sent to Friendly Saviors: a re-education camp meant to “fix” them and make them heterosexual. Upon arrival, Raya vows to assume the mythic role of Orpheus to escape Friendly Saviors, and to return to the world of the living with her love—only becoming more determined after she, Sarah, and Friendly Saviors' other teen residents are subjected to abusive "treatments" by the staff.

Out of Salem by Hal Schrieve

When genderqueer fourteen-year-old Z Chilworth wakes from death after a car crash that killed their parents and sisters, they have to adjust quickly to their new status as a zombie. Always a talented witch, Z can now barely perform magic and is rapidly decaying. Faced with rejection from their remaining family members and old friends, Z moves in with Mrs. Dunnigan, an elderly witch, and befriends Aysel, a loud would-be-goth classmate who is, like Z, a loner. As Z struggles to find a way to repair the broken magical seal holding their body together, Aysel fears that her classmates will discover her status as an unregistered werewolf. When a local psychiatrist is murdered in an apparent werewolf attack, the town of Salem, Oregon, becomes even more hostile to monsters, and Z and Aysel are driven together in an attempt to survive a place where most people wish that neither of them existed.

We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia

At the Medio School for Girls, distinguished young women are trained for one of two roles in their polarized society. Depending on her specialization, a graduate will one day run a husband’s household or raise his children, but both are promised a life of comfort and luxury, far from the frequent political uprisings of the lower class. Daniela Vargas is the school’s top student, but her bright future depends upon no one discovering her darkest secret—that her pedigree is a lie. Her parents sacrificed everything to obtain forged identification papers so Dani could rise above her station. Now that her marriage to an important politico’s son is fast approaching, she must keep the truth hidden or be sent back to the fringes of society, where famine and poverty rule supreme.

The Witch King by H.E. Edgmon

In Asalin, fae rule and witches like Wyatt Croft…don’t. Wyatt’s betrothal to his best friend, fae prince Emyr North, was supposed to change that. But when Wyatt lost control of his magic one devastating night, he fled to the human world. Now a coldly distant Emyr has hunted him down. Despite transgender Wyatt’s newfound identity and troubling past, Emyr has no intention of dissolving their engagement. In fact, he claims they must marry now or risk losing the throne. Jaded, Wyatt strikes a deal with the enemy, hoping to escape Asalin forever. But as he gets to know Emyr, Wyatt realizes the boy he once loved may still exist. And as the witches face worsening conditions, he must decide once and for all what’s more important—his people or his freedom.

Have trouble reading standard print? Many of these titles are available in formats for patrons with print disabilities.

Staff picks are chosen by NYPL staff members and are not intended to be comprehensive lists. We'd love to hear your ideas too, so leave a comment and tell us what you’d recommend. And check out our Staff Picks browse tool for more recommendations!

Summaries provided via NYPL’s catalog, which draws from multiple sources. Click through to each book’s title for more.

Staff-Recommended Manga Reads for Summer

Amanda Pagan, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL) — Fri, 25 Jun 2021 14:52:35 -0400

Ready to kick back on the beach with a new book? If you’ve been wondering what kind of manga our librarians are raving about, then you’re in luck. Here we have gathered together a list of our librarians' personal favorite must-read manga for your summer reading. So get your library card and your beach towel ready for our staff picks!

Note: These recommendations are intended for older teens and adults.

Asadora by Naoki Urasawa; translation and adaptation by John Werry; touch-up art and lettering by Steve Dutro

Recommended by Joseph Pascullo, Renee Scott, John Sattaur

Volumes: 2 (Ongoing)

Genre: Mystery, Science Fiction

A deadly typhoon, a mysterious creature and a girl who won't quit. In 2020, a large creature rampages through Tokyo, destroying everything in its path. In 1959, Asa Asada, a spunky young girl from a huge family in Nagoya, is kidnapped for ransom--and not a soul notices. When a typhoon hits Nagoya, Asa and her kidnapper must work together to survive. But there's more to her kidnapper and this storm than meets the eye. When Asa's mother goes into labor yet again, Asa runs off to find a doctor. But no one bats an eye when she doesn't return—not even as a storm approaches Nagoya. Forgotten yet again, Asa runs into a burglar and tries to stop him on her own, a decision that leads to an unlikely alliance.

Joseph – I wanted to recommend this one due to its stellar art, excellent storytelling (with the use of foreshadowing), and also since I'm a huge fan of Urasawa's prior work, I'd love for his latest one to get an endorsement!

Renee – It's such a great story about survival and bringing the unlikeliest of people together to overcome the odds.

Barefoot Gen: A Cartoon Story of Hiroshima by Keiji Nakazawa; translated by Project Gen

Recommended by Jonathan Shapiro, Amanda Pagan

Volumes: 10 (Complete)

Genre: Historical Fiction/Memoir

Six-year-old Gen's family is displaced when their hometown of Hiroshima is destroyed by an atomic bomb, with the end of Japan's war swiftly following. Without a home or jobs, Gen's family can only depend on each other in these difficult times. Over the course of the story, Gen learns about the horrors of war and that they happen because those who will never be affected by these horrors set them into motion.

Jonathan – This is a great title for teens and adults. It's very poignant and with an insight into Japanese history. It's fften compared to Maus, but I think the similarities are superficial and the cultural differences between a Japanese family and an Ashkenazy Jewish family are different enough that a comparison is rough. In addition to being a universally moving story, it reflects many positive values that are more common in Japan. Family is not a unit that binds people together, but a part of each person's self, and their need for togetherness. Nakazawa is staunchly anti-war, critical of both the United States for dropping the atomic bombs and the Japanese government for suppression and authoritarianism.

Amanda –I was genuinely brought to tears by the end of the first volume. I knew what was going to happen, but I was so caught up in the lives of the characters that when the bomb finally fell it felt like a sucker punch to the gut. Based on Nakazawa’s actual experience of surviving the bombing of Hiroshima, this is a must-read survivor’s tale.

Berserk by Kentaro Miura; translation by Jason DeAngelis with Duane Johnson; lettering and retouch by Dan Nakrosis with Studio Cutie.

Recommended by Jonathan Shapiro, Amanda Pagan

Volumes: 40 (Ongoing)*

Genre: Dark Fantasy

Rating: M for MATURE! 18+ ONLY!

Guts, the mercenary known as the Black Swordsman, wanders through a dark and violent fantasy world. Never knowing what it meant to belong somewhere until he meets the warrior Griffith of the Band of Hawk. But Griffith, above everything, desires power and will commit horrible acts to achieve it until only Guts' sword remains in his way.

Jonathan – Beyond the excellent Game of Thrones-style atmosphere and storytelling and the jaw-droppingly detailed art that looks like German woodcuts, Berserk is about finding hope and drive in darkness. Guts' world is cruel and terrifying, but he strives throughout, even though he's not very chipper himself. But more than the text itself, I think this should be on the list due to timing: Miura-sensei (Kentaro Miura) suddenly died in May at the age of 54, and people have been mourning him across the world. His work should be honored whenever, but now we have a window to give it a spotlight.

Amanda – I agree with everything Jonathan has said. The story is dark, the world is cruel, and the artwork is gorgeous. I was genuinely upset when I heard of Miura-sensei’s passing. His work has influenced so many other artists and creators. Even if you are a casual fan of manga, you would be doing yourself a disservice by not checking out Beserk. It honestly deserves to be included on the same shelf as the greatest works of fantasy fiction.

*Miura-sensei was still making the series at the time of his death. While no official statement has been given to its future, there is a possibility it will remain unfinished.

Note: This series contains sexual assault, extreme violence and just every bad thing you could think of.

Boys Run the Riot by Keito Gaku

Recommended by Elizabeth Paldino, Renee Scott

Volumes: 2 (ongoing)

Genre: Drama, LGBTQ+

High schooler Ryo knows he’s transgender, but he doesn’t have anyone to confide in about the confusion he feels. He can’t tell his best friend, who he’s secretly got a crush on, and he can’t tell his mom, who’s constantly asking why Ryo “dresses like a boy.” He certainly can’t tell Jin, the new transfer student who looks like just another bully… The only time Ryo feels at ease is when he’s wearing his favorite clothes. Then, and only then, the world melts away, and he can be his true self. One day, while out shopping, Ryo sees someone he didn’t expect: Jin. The kid who looked so tough in class has the same taste in fashion as him! At last, Ryo has someone he can open up to—and the journey ahead might finally give him a way to express himself to the world.

Renee – It is a genuine take on discovering and embracing your true self, and the representation is on point! Knowing that the mangaka and the staff related to this story are transgender makes the story feel authentic, and the friendships and experiences Ryo makes during his journey are very relatable.

Elizabeth – Boys Run the Riot is an inspirational and heartfelt story about a transgender teen who finds friendship and strentgh through new friendships and street fashion. With great representation and messaging about acceptance from a transgender creator this manga is fun and will have you rooting for the underdogs.

FullMetal Alchemist story and art by Hiromu Arakawa; translation by Akira Watanabe; English adaptation by Jake Forbes and Egan Loo; touch-up art and lettering by Steve Dutro

Recommended by Danny Jimenez, Amanda Pagan

Volumes: 27 (Complete)

Genre: Dark Fantasy, Steampunk

In an alchemical ritual gone wrong, Edward Elric lost his arm and his leg, and his brother Alphonse became nothing but a soul in a suit of armor. Equipped with mechanical "auto-mail" limbs, Edward becomes a state alchemist, seeking the one thing that can restore his and his brother's bodies...the legendary Philosopher's Stone.

Danny – Ever since watching the original FullMetal Alchemist, I had fallen in love with the series and its intrinsic characters. I later found out that creative liberties were given to the original FMA because it overtook the Manga in production at the time. Later on we were given a more true to the Manga anime in FullMetal Alchemist Brotherhood and it made me look into the source material because of how much better it was over the original incarnation. I’d say it’s one of the very few mangas that have been depicted on screen with a 90-95% t accuracy to its source. The character development for the Elric Brothers was amazing and the fleshed out support characters were breathtaking.

Amanda –The story, the worldbuilding, the character development are all fantastic. I have no reservations about saying this series is one of the best I’ve ever encountered. If you’re looking for a fully fleshed out steampunk/fantasy saga to sink your teeth into, then this is it.

So I'm a Spider. So What? original story by Okina Baba; art by Asahiro Kakashi; character design by Tsukas Kiryu; translation by Jenny McKeon; lettering by Bianca Pistillo.

Recommended by Renee Scott, Amanda Pagan

Volumes: 9 (Ongoing)

Genre: Isekai, Fantasy

I used to be a normal high school girl but in the blink of an eye, I woke up in a place I've never seen before and-and I was reborn as a spider?! How could something that's nothing more than a tiny spider (that's me) possibly survive in literally the worst dungeon ever? Are there no rules? There should be some rules! Who the hell is responsible for this?

Renee – Kumoko is this year's best girl. Her perseverance to survive and succeed is really inspiring. I love this character so much that I have a tattoo of her on my ankle! The story is about a girl who was reincarnated as a dungeon spider, and her struggle for survival.

Amanda –Right when I thought I was done with isekai, this manga fell into my lap! If you’re tired of the same old isekai about mediocre men who somehow find themselves surrounded by scantily-clad fantasy beauties, then you’ll appreciate So I’m a Spider, So What?. Our protagonist is a school girl who somehow wakes up in the body of a low level spider in the middle of some fantasy dungeon and is now working her legs (all 8 of them!) off in order to survive. It’s just utterly charming.

The Promised Neverland story by Kaiu Shirai; art by Posuka Demizu; translation by Satsuki Yamashita

Recommended by Danny Jimenez, Amanda Pagan

Volumes: 20 (Complete)

Genre: Dark Fantasy/Science Fiction, Thriller

Emma, Norman and Ray are the brightest kids at the Grace Field House orphanage. And under the care of the woman they refer to as 'Mom,' all the kids have enjoyed a comfortable life. Good food, clean clothes and the perfect environment to learn-- what more could an orphan ask for? One day, though, Emma and Norman uncover the dark truth of the outside world they are forbidden from seeing

Danny – I originally saw the anime and then decided to dive into the manga. To my surprise, there were arcs that weren’t explored in the anime that made the manga a refreshing companion to the anime.

Amanda – If you’re looking for a manga with plenty of twists and turns, then you’re in the right place! I remember thinking after the first arc “Where can they possibly go from here?” because I mistakenly thought that the mangaka could not continue the momentum, but I was WRONG! The worldbuilding and character development are fantastic! You’re guaranteed to gobble this series up the minute you get it.

Again!! by Mitsurou Kubo; translation by Rose Padgett; lettering by E.K. Weaver; lettering assistance by James Dashiell

Recommended by Amanda Pagan

Volumes: 12

Genre: Sports?

Kinichiro isn't even that bad. It's just that on the first day of high school, his narrow eyes made him look shifty, so people assumed he was trouble. Now it's graduation, and he's looking back on three years with no friends. He never even joined a club. But after a bloody collision and an accidental fall, he wakes up as a high school freshman, with the chance to try it all over... AGAIN!!

Amanda –This series was an unexpected joy. I picked it off of the shelf with no prior knowledge of what it was about, and I was thoroughly delighted by it. The characters were engaging, and the story really had me asking, “If I could do high school or even just three years ago over again, what would I do?”. I appreciate having an introverted main character who pretty much stays an introvert. Sure, he becomes a little more outgoing and optimistic, but so often these kinds of stories completely change the characters or ignore true character development in favor of slapstick or drama. That isn't the case here. It’s a solid read, and I highly recommend it.

Assassination Classroom story and art by Yusei Matsui

Volumes: 21 (Complete)

Genre: Action, Science Fiction, Comedy

Amanda –This list has a lot of really amazing and fun reads, but I thought it might be nice to include a series that just goes HAM. Its premise is over the top and zany, yet the series still maintains its storyline, humor, and character development. It’s hard for most series to manage that balance, yet Assassination Classroom nails it perfectly. The ending had me in honest-to-goodness tears. You might think this series is just about a group of children trying to kill their overpowered alien octopus teacher, but really it’s about teamwork and the friendships you make along the way.

Blue Flag story and art by Kaito; translation by Adrienne Beck; lettering by Annaliese Christman

Recommended by Elaine Liew

Volumes: 8 (Complete)

Genre: Slice of life, Romance, Drama

An unexpected love quadrangle with a dash of unrequited love as two classmates, a boy and a girl, begin to fall for each other when each of their same-sex best friends have already fallen for them. For some reason, Taichi Ichinose just can't tolerate Futaba Kuze. But at the start of his third year in high school, he finds himself in the same homeroom as her, along with his childhood friend and school sports star Toma Mita. But one day Futaba opens up to Taichi, admitting she has a crush on Toma and asking for his help in confessing to him! There's just one problem—Toma seems to already have a secret crush on someone else.

Elaine –I recommend this series because it shows us what it's like to be each character's perspective on how they feel about one another. It's also a coming of age story in which each character realizes how complicated feelings are especially when it comes to love and I think it shows really well throughout the series.

Cats of the Louvre by Taiyo Matsumoto; translation and English adaptation by Michael Arias; touch-up art and lettering by Deron Bennett

Recommended by Rachel Kahn

Volumes: 1

Genre: Fantasy, Mystery

A surreal tale of the secret world of the cats of the Louvre, told by Eisner Award winner Taiyo Matsumoto. The world-renowned Louvre museum in Paris contains more than just the most famous works of art in history. At night, within its darkened galleries, an unseen and surreal world comes alive—a world witnessed only by the small family of cats that lives in the attic. Until now...

Rachel – Do you love cats and art history? This exceptionally moving manga provides both: a group of cats live in the attic of the world famous Parisian institution. A kindly security guard cares for them and keeps them hidden...until a white kitten is seen wandering the halls during business hours. No one can find the little feline, but somehow that painting did not have a white kitten depicted on its canvas before...A lovely ode to the emotional power of art, this is magical realism where art can (literally) provide an escape.

Carole & Tuesday art and adaptation by Morito Yamataka; original story by BONES, Shinichiro Watanabe; translation by Amanda Hayley; lettering, Lys by Blakeslee

Recommended by Renee Scott

Volumes: 2 (Ongoing)

Genre: Science Fiction

When orphan Carole meets runaway Tuesday, an uptown girl who wants nothing more than to make music, it's as if they were fated to find each other. With their shared dream, the duo charges headfirst into the world of entertainment - but on colonized Mars, with a consumer base accustomed to 'perfect' A.I.-produced songs, is there any hope their organic sound and heartfelt lyrics will reach their audience?

Renee – I'm a huge fan of the anime, and the style and story of this manga is really a treat for all fans.

Goblin Slayer original story by Kumo Kagyu; art by Kousuke Kurose; character design by Noboru Kannatuki; translation by Kevin Steinbach; lettering by Bianca Pistillo

Recommended by Danny Jimenez

Volumes: 14 (Ongoing)

Genre: Fantasy

A young priestess joins her first adventuring party but almost immediately encounters the most unspeakable horrors. Rescued by an enigmatic warrior called Goblin Slayer, she partners with her savior on his mission to exterminate all goblins—by any means necessary. When rumors of Goblin Slayer's feats begin circulating, there's no telling who might come calling next…

Danny –The story shows a lot of growth for the main character as he evolves from a loner with a tunnel vision goal to a character that has empathy and cares for his comrades. There is an ongoing anime based on the manga and it’s a great adaptation.

Note: This series contains sexual assault.

O Maidens in Your Savage Season story by Mari Okada; art by Nao Emoto

Recommended by Elaine Liew

Volumes: 8 (Complete)

Genre: Slice of life, Coming of age

Kazusa’s first high school literature club meeting starts with five girls being asked, “What’s one thing you want to do before you die?” When one of them blurts out, “Sex,” it launches these new friends down a raucous, embarrassing, all-too-relatable path.

Elaine –I recommend this series because it is a coming of age story about learning what it is like to be an adult and thinking about doing adult things which most teens will eventually either explore on their own or with another person. It's also comedic and not at the same time but you can relate with them on a personal level when it comes to asking questions about sex or trying to even think about it.

Sadako at the End of the World by Koma Natsumi; supervision by Koji Suzuki; character provision by Kadokawa; translated by Caleb Cook; lettering by Lys Blakeslee

Recommended by Renee Scott

Volumes: 1 (Ongoing)

Genre: Post-apocalyptic, Science Fiction

In a post apocalyptic world, two lonely little sisters chance upon a strange video. To their surprise and joy, a girl with long black hair named Sadako climbs out of the TV, but little do the girls know that their new friend is a vengeful ghost who plans to kill them in a week.

Renee – Seeing Sadako of The Ring fame become the caretaker to two orphaned girls was just too cute! This manga was definitely not what I expected and was highly enjoyable.

A School Frozen in Time art by Naoshi Arakawa; story by Mizuki Tsujimura; translation by Michelle Lin

Recommended by Renee Scott

Volumes: 2 (Ongoing)

Genre: Mystery

On a snowy school day like any other, classmates and childhood friends Hiroshi and Mizuki arrive at school to find the campus eerily empty. Before long, they find themselves trapped inside with six other friends, and even stranger, all the clocks have stopped at a very specific moment--the exact time when a former classmate jumped off the school roof to their death three months earlier. It turns out that this departed friend is their way out of their current predicament and may even be among their group... but no one can remember who it was that took their life on that sad day. The students must face themselves and their past memories to piece together the identity of this suicide victim or risk a similar fate--with their lives lost and forgotten inside these frigid school walls.

Renee –It's a mix between Another and Erased (both titles I absolutely love), which shows the aftermath of suicide and the affect on the students as more details come to light. Such a fascinating read with so many twists and turns, it was hard to put down.

Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie by Keigo Maki; translation by Karen McGillicuddy; lettering by Mercedes McGarry

Recommended by Renee Scott

Volumes: 3 (Ongoing)

Genre: Romantic Comedy

A high school romantic comedy with a sassy twist that follows the daily life of Izumi and his amazing but sometimes intimidating girlfriend Shikimori.

Renee –I loved how this manga doesn’t always follow the usual tropes, gender roles, and the toxic masculinity where the girl is meek and the boy is the aggressive pursuer. While Shikimori is not aggressive, she is a strong person who cares deeply for Izumi (who tends to be very accident-prone), and she doesn't make him feel worthless. They support and love each other, and are true relationship goals.

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Summaries provided via NYPL’s catalog, which draws from multiple sources. Click through to each book’s title for more.

12 Classic LGBTQ Titles for YA Readers

Alex Kohn, YA Information Assistant, Mulberry Street Library — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 12:53:59 -0400

Happy Pride Month! Every year I wait for June so I can talk about these classic LGBT YA books, but you can enjoy them any time of the year. Almost all of these books are available in a variety of formats such as large print, e-books, and audiobooks. Also, check out our Staff Picks: Trans, Nonbinary, and GNC reads for Teens.

This is one of only two books to make me cry in public.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship--the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be.

Malinda Lo is a staple of any queer YA list.

Ash by Malina Lo

In this variation on the Cinderella story, Ash grows up believing in the fairy realm that the king and his philosophers have sought to suppress, until one day she must choose between a handsome fairy cursed to love her and the King's Huntress whom she loves.

Like Malinda Lo, you can't have a list of queer YA classics without this author.

Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan

This is the story of Paul, a sophomore at a high school like no other: The cheerleaders ride Harleys, the homecoming queen used to be a guy named Daryl (she now prefers Infinite Darlene and is also the star quarterback), and the gay-straight alliance was formed to help the straight kids learn how to dance. When Paul meets Noah, he thinks he’s found the one his heart is made for. Until he blows it. The school bookie says the odds are 12-to-1 against him getting Noah back, but Paul’s not giving up without playing his love really loud. His best friend Joni might be drifting away, his other best friend Tony might be dealing with ultra-religious parents, and his ex-boyfriend Kyle might not be going away anytime soon, but sometimes everything needs to fall apart before it can really fit together right.

Originally a webcomic that captured hearts, this story helped launch the genre of sports-themed LGBTQ manga.

Check, Please! Book 1: Hockey! by Ngozi Ukazu

Eric Bittle may be a former junior figure skating champion, vlogger extraordinaire, and very talented amateur pâtissier, but being a freshman on the Samwell University hockey team is a whole new challenge. It is nothing like co-ed club hockey back in Georgia! First of all? There's checking (anything that hinders the player with possession of the puck, ranging from a stick check all the way to a physical sweep). And then, there is Jack— his very attractive but moody captain

A relative newcomer, but still a classic in my eyes.

Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram

Clinically-depressed Darius Kellner, a high school sophomore, travels to Iran to meet his grandparents, but it is their next-door neighbor, Sohrab, who changes his life.

Also a newcomer to the classic list, but it absolutely deserves to be here.

Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender

Felix Love has never been in love, painful irony that it is. He desperately wants to know why it seems so easy for everyone but him to find someone. He is proud of his identity, but fears that he's one marginalization too many—Black, queer, and transgender. When an anonymous student begins sending him transphobic messages—after publicly posting Felix's deadname alongside images of him before he transitioned—Felix comes up with a plan for revenge. He didn't count on his catfish scenario landing him in a quasi-love triangle.

Another newcomer to our shelves, but this book about a nonbinary teen is already a classic.

I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver

After coming out as nonbinary, Ben must leave home and goes to live with their estranged sister and her husband to finish the last year of high school.

One of the first books by a trans author to also have a trans model on the cover.

If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo

Amanda Hardy is the new girl in school in Lambertville, Tennessee. Like any other girl, all she wants is to make friends and fit in. But Amanda is keeping a secret. There's a reason why she transferred schools for her senior year, and why she's determined not to get too close to anyone. And then she meets Grant Everett. Grant is unlike anyone she's ever met—open, honest, kind—and Amanda can't help but start to let him into her life. As they spend more time together, she finds herself yearning to share with Grant everything about herself ... including her past. But she's terrified that once she tells Grant the truth, he won't be able to see past it. Because the secret that Amanda's been keeping? It's that she used to be Andrew.

One of the first queer books I ever read and still one of the most important ones on my shelf.

The Letter Q : Queer Writers' Notes to Their Younger Selves edited by Sarah Moon

If you received a letter from your older self, what do you think it would say? What do you wish it would say? That the boy you were crushing on in History turns out to be gay too, and that you become boyfriends in college? That the bully who is making your life miserable will one day become so insignificant that you won't remember his name until he shows up at your book signing? In this anthology, sixty-three award-winning authors make imaginative journeys into their pasts, telling their younger selves what they would have liked to know then about their lives as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgendered people. Through stories, in pictures, with bracing honesty, these are words of love and understanding, reasons to hold on for the better future ahead. They will tell you things about your favorite authors that you never knew before. And they will tell you about yourself.

Another author that a classic LGBTQ list would be remiss to not include!

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

Nimona, a young shapeshifter with a knack for villainy, and Lord Ballister Blackheart, a villain with a vendetta, set out to prove that Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin and his friends are not the heroes everyone thinks they are, but Lord Blackheart soon realizes that Nimona's powers are as murky and mysterious as her past, and her unpredictable wild side might be more dangerous than he is willing to admit.

Albertalli took the world by storm with this sweet romance that got turned into the movie Love, Simon.

Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now Simon is actually being blackmailed: if he doesn’t play wingman for class clown Martin, his sexual identity will become everyone’s business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he’s been emailing, will be compromised. With some messy dynamics emerging in his once tight-knit group of friends, and his email correspondence with Blue growing more flirtatious every day, Simon’s junior year has suddenly gotten all kinds of complicated. Now, change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he’s pushed out—without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he’s never met.

The only other book to make me cry in public.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Greece in the age of heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the court of King Peleus and his perfect son Achilles. By all rights their paths should never cross, but Achilles takes the shamed prince as his friend, and as they grow into young men skilled in the arts of war and medicine their bond blossoms into something deeper—despite the displeasure of Achilles' mother Thetis, a cruel sea goddess. But then word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped. Torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus journeys with Achilles to Troy, little knowing that the years that follow will test everything they hold dear.

Have trouble reading standard print? Many of these titles are available in formats for patrons with print disabilities.

Summaries provided via NYPL’s catalog, which draws from multiple sources. Click through to each book’s title for more.