The Diamond Explorer
Kao Kalia Yang

 In The Diamond Explorer, author Kao Kalia Yang again takes readers on a journey into her family history and their lives as Hmong immigrants who have settled in Minnesota. The main character is her youngest brother, Malcolm. When he started school, Malcolm's teachers sometimes saw him as dull and uncooperative. He could not easily relate to his classmates but was bright and observant. His gifts were seen and appreciated by his parents and three older siblings. The story presents living relatives of the Yang family, their lives, and the challenges that they face. We also meet ancestors who have moved on to the afterlife. Ultimately, Malcolm feels called to be a shaman. Will he answer the call?

The Diamond Explorer is recommended for Ages 10 and up. Its insights into the Hmong experience and culture also make the story informative for YA and adult readers.

Ash's Cabin
Jen Wang

15-year-old Ash cares deeply about the environment and is tired of feeling misunderstood. So, Ash decides the best course of action is to find the rural cabin their grandfather built and live off the grid with their dog, Chase, as company. This graphic novel is a Hatchet reminiscent, survivalist, coming-of-age story that is aimed at a teenage audience.

Troy
Adèle Geras

This is a great introduction to the classics for young adults (but I also recommend it for older adults). The siege of Troy has been going on for almost 10 years. The residents of Troy watch the battles from the walls; the war is about to come to a head. The story isn’t like most tellings of these events, all about Helen and Hector and Odysseus and Achilles. In Troy the main characters are teenagers who work for the royals and barely remember the days before the Greeks descended. 

Oh, and the gods are very real. Eros and Aphrodite make mischief in a way that reminds me of Midsummer’s Night Dream, but without it being comedic. People encounter and talk with the gods, but most people immediately forget about the encounter when it ends.

I predict you won’t forget the characters in this book for a long time! 

The Bletchley Riddle
Ruta Septys and Steve Sheinkin

If you're familiar with Ruta Septys, you know her specialty is historical fiction, and this one is no exception. While the publishers are promoting this as "middle grade," don't miss out on this, whether you are a current middle schooler or not.

Set in the summer of 1940, when Jakob, 19 years old, is living/working at Bletchley Park in the U.K. where codebreaking is being done. His younger sister Lizzie, 14 years old, is being sent to live with relatives in the U.S., only Lizzie doesn't want to go to the U.S. and so she gives her ship companion the slip and tracks down her brother. Their mother mysteriously disappeared a year ago. Jakob is serious and responsible. Lizzie is impulsive, and whip smart. As Jakob works to crack the Nazis Enigma cipher, Lizzie gets to work on the disappearance of their mom. This book grabbed me immediately. For those that love to read a good juvenile book and then pass it along to a juvenile in your life to read and discuss, this would be a great one. 

This book releases October 8.

The Hotel Balzaar
Kate DiCamillo

Kate DiCamillo has started a new "series" (I'll explain why I put that in quotes) called The Norendy Tales. The Hotel Balzaar is the second Norendy Tales book. I say "series" because the books can absolutely be read as stand-alones. I believe the only connection between the first two books is both are set in the land of Norendy, but none of the characters from the first Norendy Tales, The Puppets of Spelhorst, appear in this book. (By the way if you haven't read The Puppets of Spelhorst, you should read that too, just because it's another dang good book from DiCamillo.) Over the years I've read a LOT of this author's books. She writes for children, usually older elementary to middle grade, some realistic fiction (think Because of Winn-Dixie) and some fantasy. While I've loved them all, I admit I tend to love the fantasy books more because that's what I like, and while this one leans more towards realistic, IT'S MY MOST FAVORITE EVER. In The Hotel Balzaar, Marta's mother works at the hotel, and boards with Marta in a room at the top of the hotel. Each day when Marta's mother heads downstairs for work, Marta is instructed to be as quiet as a mouse and not disturb anyone, which it turns out, is very boring. Nonetheless, Marta creates her own routines for the day, observing items and staff and guests in the lobby. One day an eccentric guest arrives, and Marta can't help herself from interacting with this guest, a countess, and her parrot. The countess has seven tales to tell, but she'll only tell one at a time. Marta visits the countess in her room to hear the tales. The first tale does not impress Marta, but she keeps returning for more. I don't want to give too much away, but the countess's tales are connected to each other and have implications for Marta. Just read it, trust me on this one. There's probably a terrific audio book edition, but then you'll miss the wonderful illustrations in the print book.

This book releases October 1.

Twenty-four Seconds from Now…
Jason Reynolds

It’s not news that raging hormones are a part of adolescent life. It’s also not news that adolescents are interested in forming relationships and learning about intimacy.

Jason Reynolds, the celebrated young adult author, explores these themes in his new book, Twenty-four Seconds from Now. . .
Neon and his girlfriend Aria have been together for two years, and they’re ready to take their relationship to a new level. Aria’s family is gone for the evening, and Neon and Aria are alone in the house. Actually, Neon is alone in the bathroom, dealing with a bad case of nerves. He reflects on what brought them to this point, including the families he and Aria have come from. Neon is a very appealing character, sensitive, thoughtful, and humorous, with an understanding and supportive family. The reader can’t help thinking that Aria is a very lucky person.

This book is a tender portrayal of teen love. Borrow your young person’s copy, read it, and perhaps you’ll find a way to have the conversation you’ve struggled to initiate.

This book will be released October 8.

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