Al Capone Does My Shirts by Choldenko

Moose Flanagan is a twelve year old boy living on Alcatraz Island with his sister, who is not like other children. It's 1935 and the family has just moved here since their father works on the infamous island. Moose has to deal with taking care of his sister who has a disability, sharing a home on an island with convicts, and handling the warden's daughter Piper who is always thinking of a new scheme on how to meet Al Capone. That's right! I said Al Capone! At this time he has been sent to prison on Alcatraz for tax invasion and also because he has tried to swindle his way into better perks at every prison he has been sent to. All Moose wants to do is protect his sister, make some friends, and stay out of trouble but he soon discovers that he may need the help of the most notorious gangster to help him save his sister's education.
This is a great tween read with much excitement and many chapters that will pull on your heart strings. I would definitely recommend this book to older tweens as there are some issues in the book that come up with "coming of age," ideas.

If You Could Be Mine by Sara Farizan

This modern story is set in Iran and includes two young women, who love one another and must keep their relationship a secret or risk being punished to the extreme; death. The story is heartbreaking, as Nasrin and Sahar must hide their relationship especially because  Nasrin's family has promised her to a man for marriage. Sahar thinks of a perfect solution, she can undergo surgery to change into a man since this procedure is legal in Iran while homosexual relationships are not.While this is indeed drastic, Sahar needs to dig deep to find out if their love is worth such a transition.
I recommend this read to older teens and those in the LGBT community who are looking to read about characters who are not your regular run of the mill middle class type. It's nice to see an author take risks and invite us into a world we don't know a lot about.

The Truth About Us by Janet Gurtler

Happy Holidays fellow readers! While healing and resting on medical leave.. I had the chance to read a teen book that was not the average high school romance novel. Gurtler's, The Truth About Us follows a teen named Jess who gets caught up having too much fun ( sunbathing topless and drinking. Yikes!) and is punished by having to help out at a homeless soup kitchen. Much to her surprise, a cute boy from the other side of the tracks, Flynn frequents the facility but not as a volunteer. Since everyone views Jess as a spoiled little rich girl... its no wonder she is misunderstood and told to stay away from Flynn. Jess however, has not had an easy life herself and must find her way through to what she wants most. This book is not all cookies and cream... which I loved! The characters really have to prove themselves and find their truth. Teen readers are sure to enjoy it.

Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers

This book tackles the issue of bullying and takes it to another level. I would recommend this book for high school and college students only. The main character, Regina Afton is one of the popular girls who rule the school. It is taken away from her one night when she is attacked by Donnie her best friend's (Ana) boyfriend and rumors fly that Regina slept with him. Day after day, Ana seeks out revenge along with her clique to destroy her emotionally and sometimes physically. Regina seeks refuge in a friendship with a loner named Michael who she once bullied and carries some secrets of his own.
The reader will be taken on a rough journey through Regina's revenge, Ana's games, and the struggle she goes through to stay alive and one step ahead. A must read for all teens!

The Cupcake Queen by Heather Hepler

The cover art for Heather Hepler's, The Cupcake Queen drew me in to read this light and fun book. Penny arrives at Hog's Hollow, with her mom after her parents separate unexpectedly. She leaves her friends, Dad, and life back in NYC and tries to cope with being new. Mix in "mean girl" Charity along with a new bakery and a new boy and you have a great young teen story about what it's like to truly be the new person in school while dealing with a bit of family drama.

The story starts off a bit slow, but the middle and ending draw you into a great story about finding your way without the fluff of normal stories. Also, cupcake lovers will enjoy hearing about Penny's creative baking strategies and ideas. The author also wrote some great titles that you should explore. Here is a link to the author's website: 

Enjoy! http://www.heatherhepler.com/books/ (courtesy of the author) 

Gabi, a Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero

The author Isabel Quintero, brings readers a funny book that chronicles a Mexican American girl during her senior year named Gabi. She is not your normal run of the mill high school teen; she is spunky, real, loves her tacos and stays strong throughout her life's challenges such as dealing with her pregnant best friend, her meth addicted dad, her gay best friend and her Tia Bertha ( aka the hypocrite). This book will have you laughing and crying all in one sitting.
I loved the way the author didn't sugar coat things or have the protagonist seek out help for an easy fix. She kept the story fit alongside how teens of today act when they think they can handle things alone. The author also touches what it is like for a young woman to be Mexican American living in California and all that that can entail.
This is a great book for graduating seniors, or any teen who wants to read something new and fresh!

A Long Way from You by Gwendolyn Heasley

I absolutely loved the spin off title from Heasley's Where I Belong, titled A Long Way from You. The book follows one of the previous characters Kitsy as she embarks to art school in New York all the way from Broken Spoke, Texas. I loved all the New York tidbits and places mentioned in the book and how Kitsy finds herself and her roots through her art. This is a great title for fans of Sarah Dessen and any lover of New York and/or Texas.
The main character Kitsy gets carried away by the Big Apple, but finds her way in the end back to who she really is and where she wants to be. The characters were well developed and it was a fun read. It was also a great lesson for teens in that the character always struggles to be herself no matter what situation. I think a teen who travels or is caught in a small crossroad would greatly relate to this book.

The Karma Club by Jessica Brody

Brody has a true gem on her hands with the book, "The Karma Club." These high school characters really delve their readers into something that most teens think of seeking out when they're heartbroken, Revenge! They start a club to hurt people who have hurt them.... but in the end it's karma who has the last laugh. This book is great for soul searchers, heart-broken teens, and anyone who wants to read a great teen book that is not predictable. I think it is also a great lesson learning book for teens who fall into the social trap of being a"mean girl."

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

Best selling author Jenny Han gives us a fresh look at what would happen if all our past crushes knew how we felt. Lara Jean, a spunky high school student who likes to stay away from the popular crowd finds her hat box of love letters mailed out by mistake.In the middle of this mishap, she must learn to cover up her feelings for her sister's "barely" ex and convince everyone that she and Peter ( her cover-up and fellow love letter recepient) are an item. Lara learns some lessons about sisters, real relationships, and surviving the teen dating game. Readers will enjoy how the author makes the characters come to life and how the story is not as predictable as you might think. What would you do if all your "unmailed" love letters were sent away? The sequel is P.S I Still Love You and is hard to get your hands on... but do try! 

The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle

 I just finished reading Myracle's book which was a big surprise to me. I would recommend this book for older teens in grades 10 to 12 as there are some adult issues that come up throughout the book. It reminded me of Judy Blume's "Forever" if you get my drift, although it is very real and I like the way the author incorporated the teens of today within the story ( i.e the texting, the friendship patterns, and the insecurity that sometimes comes about when socializing via cell phone)
So, here's the review... Charlie and Wren meet in high school and bond over Charlie's broken hand. They immediately fall in love and begin Wren's very first hot and heavy romance. Charlie's friend and ex-girlfriend Starrla is not impressed. Although she does not have the capacity or desire to have a true relationship with Charlie, she still wants him to herself in a very broken way. Wren has made some very different decisions during her senior year that her parents are not happy about. Add this to a whirlwind romance, teenage sex, a boy from a foster family, and a few friends that help them along the way and you've got an amazing teen book! You may not be able to put this book down mid-way. It gets off to a slow basic start and then takes on a life of its own.

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

I fell in love with Eleanor & Park within the first three pages. Like many of the reviews state, don't let the cute cover fool you. Let's begin with Eleanor... an emotionally ( to say the least) abused girl who wears men's clothing and has just moved to a new school. And Park, a Korean-American who comes from a great family but doesn't fit in with the neighborhood kids either. They meet and their love for one another makes you want to cry and play songs by The Cure all day. They try to beat the odds but Eleanor's self-sabotaging ways get the best of them at times, yet Park tries to find a way to save her happiness in many ways throughout the book.
I highly recommend this book for all Y.A collections and teens who are looking for something different to read.
Enjoy!