Young Adult New Releases February 15 2022

Happy New Release Tuesday to all the young adult books releasing today – it might not be a mighty day of numbers, but we think you’ll like what you see! Most are below and I hope you find something new to read and check out all of February’s releases on our Bookshop page.

The Chandler Legacies

by Abdi Nazemian
Published by: Balzer & Bray/Harperteen
on February 15, 2022
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
Bookshop
Goodreads

From the Stonewall Honor–winning author of Like a Love Story comes a revelatory novel about the enclosed world of privilege and silence at an elite boarding school and the unlikely group of friends who dare challenge the status quo through their writing.

Beth Kramer is a “townie” who returns to her sophomore year after having endured a year of judgment from her roommate, Sarah.

But Sarah Brunson knows there’s more to that story.

Amanda Priya “Spence” Spencer is the privileged daughter of NYC elites, who is reeling from the realization that her family name shielded her from the same fate as Sarah.

Ramin Golafshar arrives at Chandler as a transfer student to escape the dangers of being gay in Iran, only to suffer brutal hazing under the guise of tradition in the boys’ dorms.

And Freddy Bello is the senior who’s no longer sure of his future but has fallen hard for Spence and knows he has to stand up to his friends after what happened to Ramin.

At Chandler, the elite boarding school, these five teens are brought together in the Circle, a coveted writing group where life-changing friendships are born—and secrets are revealed. Their professor tells them to write their truths. But is the truth enough to change the long-standing culture of abuse at Chandler? And can their friendship survive the fallout?

All the Right Reasons

by Bethany Mangle
Published by: Margaret K. McElderry Books
on February 15, 2022
Genres: Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Young Adult
Bookshop
Goodreads

The Bachelor meets Gilmore Girls in this laugh-out-loud young adult romance about a girl who joins her mother on a reality dating show for single parents—only to fall for a contestant’s son.

Cara Hawn’s life fell apart after her father cheated on her mother and got remarried to a woman Cara can’t stand. When Cara accidentally posts a rant about her father online, it goes viral—and catches the attention of the TV producers behind a new reality dating show for single parent families.

The next thing Cara and her mother know, they’ve been cast as leads on the show and are whisked away to sunny Key West where they’re asked to narrow a field of suitors and their kids down to one winning pair. All of this is outside of Cara’s comfort zone, from the meddling producers to the camera-hungry contestants, especially as Cara and her mother begin to clash on which suitors are worth keeping around. And then comes Connor.

As the son of a contestant, Connor is decidedly off-limits. Except that he doesn’t fit in with the cutthroat atmosphere in all the same ways as Cara, and she can’t get him out of her head. Now Cara must juggle her growing feelings while dodging the cameras and helping her mom pick a bachelor they both love, or else risk fracturing their family even more for the sake of ratings. Maybe there’s a reason most people don’t date on TV.

Bright Ruined Things

by Samantha Cohoe
Published by: Wednesday Books
on February 15, 2022
Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Young Adult
Bookshop
Goodreads

The only life Mae has ever known is on the island, living on the charity of the wealthy Prosper family who control the magic on the island and the spirits who inhabit it. Mae longs for magic of her own and to have a place among the Prosper family, where her best friend, Coco, will see her as an equal, and her crush, Miles, will finally see her. Now that she’s eighteen, Mae knows her time with the Prospers may soon come to an end.

But tonight is First Night, when the Prospers and their high-society friends return to the island to celebrate the night Lord Prosper first harnessed the island’s magic and started producing aether – a magical fuel source that has revolutionized the world. With everyone returning to the island, Mae finally has the chance to go after what she’s always wanted.

When the spirits start inexplicably dying, Mae starts to realize that things aren’t what they seem. And Ivo, the reclusive, mysterious heir to the Prosper magic, may hold all the answers – including a secret about Mae’s past that she doesn’t remember. As Mae and her friends begin to unravel the mysteries of the island, and the Prospers’ magic, Mae starts to question the truth of what her world was built on.

Forbidden magic, a family secret, and a night to reveal it all...

Rima's Rebellion: Courage in a Time of Tyranny

by Margarita Engle
Published by: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
on February 15, 2022
Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult
Bookshop
Goodreads

An inspiring coming-of-age story from award-winning author Margarita Engle about a girl falling in love for the first time while finding the courage to protest for women’s right to vote in 1920s Cuba.

Rima loves to ride horses alongside her abuela and Las Mambisas, the fierce women veterans who fought during Cuba’s wars for independence. Feminists from many backgrounds have gathered in voting clubs to demand suffrage and equality for women, but not everybody wants equality for all—especially not for someone like Rima. In 1920s Cuba, illegitimate children like her are bullied and shunned.

Rima dreams of a day when she is free from fear and shame, the way she feels when she’s riding with Las Mambisas. As she seeks her way, Rima forges unexpected friendships with others who long for freedom, especially a handsome young artist named Maceo. Through turbulent times, hope soars, and with it…love.

Reclaim the Stars: 17 Tales Across Realms & Space

by Zoraida Córdova, Vita Ayala, David Bowles, J.C. Cervantes, Sara Faring, Romina Garber, Isabel Ibañez, Anna-Marie McLemore, Yamile Saied Méndez, Nina Moreno, Circe Moskowitz, Maya Motayne, Linda Raquel Nieves Pérez, Daniel José Older, Claribel A. Ortega, Mark Oshiro, Lilliam Rivera
Published by: Wednesday Books
on February 15, 2022
Genres: Anthology, Young Adult
Bookshop
Goodreads

Seventeen fantasy and science fiction short stories from leading voices in the Latin American diaspora!

Reclaim the Stars is a collection of bestselling and acclaimed YA authors that take the Latin American diaspora to places fantastical and out of this world. From princesses warring in space, to the all too-near devastation of climate change, to haunting ghost stories in Argentina, and mermaids off the coast of the Caribbean. This is science fiction and fantasy that breaks borders and realms, and proves that stories are truly universal.

Authors include Daniel José Older, Yamile Saied Méndez, Anna-Marie McLemore, Mark Oshiro, Romina Garber, David Bowles, Lilliam Rivera, Claribel Ortega, Isabel Ibañez, Sara Faring, Maya Motayne, Nina Moreno, Vita Ayala, J.C. Cervantes, Circe Moskowitz, Linda Nieves Pérez, and Zoraida Córdova.

Bitter

by Akwaeke Emezi
Published by: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
on February 15, 2022
Genres: Speculative Fiction, Young Adult
Bookshop
Goodreads

From National Book Award finalist Akwaeke Emezi comes a companion novel to the critically acclaimed PET that explores both the importance and cost of social revolution--and how youth lead the way.

After a childhood in foster care, Bitter is thrilled to have been chosen to attend Eucalyptus, a special school where she can focus on her painting surrounded by other creative teens. But outside this haven, the streets are filled with protests against the deep injustices that grip the city of Lucille.

Bitter's instinct is to stay safe within the walls of Eucalyptus . . . but her friends aren't willing to settle for a world that's so far away from what they deserve. Pulled between old friendships, her artistic passion, and a new romance, Bitter isn't sure where she belongs--in the studio or in the streets. And if she does find a way to help the revolution while being true to who she is, she must also ask: at what cost?

This timely and riveting novel--a companion to the National Book Award finalist Pet--explores the power of youth, protest, and art.

A Spark Within the Forge: An Ember in the Ashes Graphic Novel

by Sabaa Tahir, Nicole Andelfinger, Sonia Liao
Published by: Archaia
on February 15, 2022
Genres: Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Young Adult
Bookshop
Goodreads

An all-new official standalone graphic novel prequel to the New York Times best-selling YA series An Ember in the Ashes novels from creator Sabaa Tahir!

REBELLION IS FORGED IN THE HEART OF THE EMPIRE. Before they were torn asunder, Laia lived happily and quietly with her Nan, Pop, and brother Darin within the Scholar district of Martial-ruled Serra. Although Laia is afraid to venture outside her home due to the heavy Martial presence, Darin loves to explore all parts of their home city… even those that are forbidden. A chance encounter with famed swordsmith Spiro Teluman, who sees in Darin a talent for forging weapons, leads him down a path that pulls him away from his family but towards hope for his people. While Laia is forced to take her brother’s place accompanying Pop to combat a dangerous illness spreading quickly through Serra. When Laia discovers a surprising cure, will she brave exposure and the heavily-patrolled streets so she can save the city and someone she loves?

New York Times bestselling author Sabaa Tahir joins writer Nicole Andelfinger and artist Sonia Liao for an all-new original graphic novel revealing the life of Laia and Darin in Serra before the tragedy that pulled them into the An Ember in the Ashes mythology.

Cramm This Book: So You Know Wtf Is Going on in the World Today

by Olivia Seltzer
Published by: Philomel Books
on February 15, 2022
Genres: Non-Fiction, Young Adult
Bookshop
Goodreads

The stories and history behind the news today, from one of Gen Z's leading voices--because you can't change the world if you don't know what's going on!

Take a stand! Raise your voice! Join the movement and change the world! But first--know what's actually going on in it. Read this book for the scoop behind the scoop of the day: for the context you need to understand everything from the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East to the origins of Black Lives Matter and Me Too to the full deal with all of the wildfires and hurricanes we see each year.
From the founder of The Cramm, a news outlet by and for a new generation, comes a dive into the history that's shaped the world as it is today, looking at the wars, the movements, the disasters, and more--the points that have set the stage for what we see and read in the news on a daily basis.

Are you ready to take to the streets and take on the world? Then Cramm This Book and get going.
What are you waiting for?

Witchy Vol. 2

by Ariel Slamet Ries
Published by: Oni Press
on February 15, 2022
Genres: Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Young Adult
Bookshop
Goodreads

The eagerly awaited second collected volume of Ariel Slamet Ries' hit online comic Witchy.

In the witch kingdom Hyalin, the strength of your magic is determined by the length of your hair.
Low on magic and on the run after committing the ultimate heresy of cutting one's hair, Nyneve and her raven companion, Banana, head into an ancient forest in search of safe transport. However, when Nynever butts heads with the gruff and overbearing broom-maker Kaveh, she starts to wonder if she wouldn't be better off in the hands of the Witch Guard.  

The Obsidian Butterfly (The Age of the Seventh Sun, #3)

by Lani Forbes
Published by: Blackstone Publishing
on February 15, 2022
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Bookshop
Goodreads

To the Chicome people, an eclipse is a time of terror. When darkness falls, the barrier separating the heavens and the earth becomes unstable. Then come the ravening Tzitzimime--the star demons who thirst for human blood. Mayana and Ahkin know the full extent of the coming danger, but they must gather support or the Chicome Empire is doomed.

As the eclipse nears, many maneuver for power in this deadly game of worlds ending.

Metzi, Ahkin's treacherous sister, has seized control of the empire with the aid of the malevolent goddess known as the Obsidian Butterfly. But Metzi has no idea what the goddess has in store...

Yemania and Ochix face the wrath of both their peoples. Their forbidden liaison may draw ancient enemies together... or rip the young lovers apart forever.

And the princesses who battled fiercely for Ahkin's heart in The Seventh Sun meet again--but this time, they must join forces in order to survive.

As for Ahkin and Mayana, the entire empire seems to want to keep them apart. Can their love endure the end of the world?