Blessings by Chukwuebuka Ibeh

A devastatingly elegant portrait of a young man navigating sexual awakening in a country that forbids his existence. Moving from a “miracle childhood” to a survivalist boarding school experience, the novel explores the heavy price of silence and the resilience of love.

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The Paper Girl of Paris by Jordyn Taylor

The Paper Girl of Paris is a captivating YA historical fiction novel that blends the tragedy of the Holocaust with a compelling family mystery. As Alice uncovers the secrets of her grandmother’s abandoned Paris apartment, readers are drawn into a story of harrowing survival and the enduring power of family, making it an excellent supplemental read for a unit on WWII.

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Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood

Chess prodigy Mallory Greenleaf thought she’d made her final move until she accidentally defeats the world champion, Nolan Sawyer. A romance that balances the high-pressure world of competitive chess with the heavy realities of family trauma and chronic illness. It’s a sharp, witty, and mature read perfect for older teens who love a strategist with a heart.

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Death By Whoopee Cushion by Vicki Grant

When serious-minded Manya’s parents are arrested after a prank goes lethally wrong, she must trade her science textbooks for stink bombs to clear their names. Filled with developed characters, potty humor, and real-world chemistry, this fast-paced “whodunnit” is perfect for fans of Encyclopedia Brown and any student who enjoys a mystery with a side of silliness.

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