Teen Volunteer Opportunities this Spring!

The library offers many ways to volunteer for teens ages 13-17. Check out the opportunities below and if you're interested visit our Calendar of Events to register (registration begins 10 days before each event). All volunteer opportunities are at the Montgomery Campus this spring while our Oswego Campus is undergoing construction.

Wednesday, March 4    6:15 pm-7:30 pm
Assist with the 'Special Readers' program

Saturday, March 7    10:15 am-12:15 pm
Assist with the 'Dr. Seuss Drop-In'

Sunday, March 15    12:45 pm-3:15 pm
Assist with the 'Brownie Girl Scout Computer' program

Saturday, March 21    12:45 pm-2:15 pm
Assist with the 'Meet the Masters' program

Thursday, March 26    6:00 pm-7:00 pm
Volunteer on the Teen Advisory Board

Saturday, March 28    12:45 pm-2:00 pm
Assist with the 'April Fool's Gag' program

Sunday, March 29    12:15 pm-3:15 pm
Assist with the 'Junior Girl Scout Scribe' program

Wednesday, April 1    6:15 pm-7:30 pm
Assist with the 'Special Readers' program

Thursday, April 2    9:45 am-11:45 am 
Assist with the 'Make a Zoo T-Shirt' program

Saturday, April 18    1:45 pm-3:15 pm
Assist with the 'Taste Test: Fruit' program

Thursday, April 23    6:00 pm-7:00 pm
Volunteer on the Teen Advisory Board

Saturday, May 2    12:45 pm-2:45 pm 
Assist with the 'May the 4th Be with You' program

Wednesday, May 6    6:15 pm-7:30 pm
Assist with the 'Special Readers' program

Thursday, May 28 6:00 pm-7:00 pm
Volunteer on the Teen Advisory Board

Monsterously Good Books Courtesy of the Teen Advisory Board

Check out some of these excellent scary and monster-filled reads chosen by the library's Teen Advisory Board.

The Infects by Sean Beaudoin

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black

The Diviners by Libba Bray

Thirteen Days to Midnight by Patrick Carman

Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger

Factotum by D.M. Cornish

Sick by Tom Leveen

I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga

Bonechiller by Graham McNamee

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel

Dorothy Must Die by D.M Paige

The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd

Between by Jessica Warman

Attack on Titan by Hajime Isayama

Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

The Old Willis Place: A Ghost Story by May Downing Hahn

Find Some Monsterously Good Books this Winter!

Win prizes this winter just for reading! Teen Winter Reading is running from January 2 to February 22 at the library. It's easy to participate. Just read or listen to 5 books and fill out a reading log. Reading logs can be picked up at the Adult Services Desk at either campus. Drop off your log and be entered for prizes, like movie tickets!

Watch Divergent at the Library!

Stop by the Montgomery Campus for pizza while we watch Divergent on the big projector screen. You'll also have a chance to join our new Teen Advisory Board, a group that will be dedicated to making sure teens have a voice at the library!

When: Friday, October 17, 5:00-8:00 pm
Montgomery Campus Meeting Room

Visit our Calendar of Events to register.

Meet local author Elizabeth Wheeler

Every fall, the Oswego Literary Festival offers a chance for bookworms to get together. With book signings, author visits and a book sale put on by the Friends' of the Library, there is something for everyone. Be sure not to miss a chance to meet Elizabeth Wheeler, local author of Asher's Fault. She'll be talking about YA fiction and giving advice for aspiring authors.

The Oswego Literary Festival is from 9 am to 1 pm on Saturday, October 4th at the Oswego Village Hall. Elizabeth Wheeler will be speaking at 12 pm, so mark your calendars.

Teen Volunteer Opportunities this Fall!

Our Youth Services department offers many volunteer opportunities for teens ages 13-17! Check out the dates below if you are interested and visit our Calendar of Events to register (registration begins 10 days before the event). All volunteer opportunities this fall will be at the Montgomery Campus while our Oswego Campus is undergoing construction.

Montgomery Campus
Wednesday, September 3   6:15-7:30 pm
Assist with the 'Storytime for Special Readers' program

Saturday, September 13   10:15 am-12:45 pm
Assist with the 'AppleFest' program

Saturday, September 20   12:45-2:00 pm
Assist with the 'Favorite Book Character Fun!' program

Thursday, September 25   6:15-7:30 pm
Assist with the 'Kids Create: Doctor Who Craft' program

Wednesday, October 1   6:15-7:30 pm
Assist with the 'Storytime for Special Readers' program

Monday, October 13 1:45-3:15 pm
Assist with the 'Batman Blowout' program

Saturday, October 18 12:45-2:45 pm
Assist with the 'Kids Create: Mummy Candle' program

Saturday, November 1 1:45-3:15 pm
Assist with the 'Meet the Masters' program

Sunday, November 2 1:45-3:00 pm
Assist with the 'American Girl Tea' program

Wednesday, November 5 6:15-7:30 pm
Assist with the 'Storytime for Special Readers' program

Saturday, November 8 9:15-10:45 am
Assist with the 'Curious George Visits the Library' program

Friday, November 21 6:00-7:30 pm
Assist with the 'Kids Create: Hair Clip' program

Wednesday, December 3 6:15-7:30 pm
Assist with the 'Storytime for Special Readers' program

Wednesday, December 10 4:45-7:15 pm
Assist with the 'Santa Visits the Library' program

Thursday, December 18 6:15-7:30 pm
Assist with the 'Polar Express' program

Wednesday, December 31 11:15-12:00 pm
Assist with the 'Noon Year's Eve' program

Voting Now Open for Teens' Top Ten

Voting is now open for the 2014 Teens' Top Ten List! If you've read any of them this year, stop by and vote for your favorites, they might make the Top Ten. Winners will be announced October 20th.
Check out the nominees and vote here.

Free ACT and PSAT Practice Tests at the Library!

Kaplan Test Prep is visiting the Montgomery Campus this summer to provide free ACT and PSAT Practice Tests. Registration is required so be sure to visit our Calendar of Events to sign-up. Check out the dates and times below:

ACT Practice Tests
Saturday July 12  10:00 am - 1:30 pm
Tuesday July 15   5:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Saturday August 2   10:00 am - 1:30 pm

PSAT Practice Tests
Saturday, July 19   10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Tuesday, July 22   5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Tuesday, August 5   5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Looking for test prep help? Visit our Homework Help page to get links to ACT prep books. Also, check out Learning Express Library, which has online practice tests for the ACT and PSAT.

Visit the Teen eBook Collection

Visit our new teen eBook collection on our eBook service, OMNI/OverDrive. The collection features books and audiobooks just for teens, making it easier for you to discover new favorites! Read or listen to the books on your computers, smartphones or tablets.

Summer Reading 2014: Paws to Read

Join our 2014 Summer Reading Program and win prizes! Prizes this year include Bluetooth wireless speakers, headphones and gift cards to Buffalo Wild Wings! It's really easy to participate.

To Enter:
1. Read or listen to 5 books
(Print books, eBooks, graphic novels and audiobooks are all good choices).

2.Submit a print reading log at the Adult Services online
Desk OR submit your log
(Print reading logs can be picked up at the Adult Services Desk).

Summer Reading runs from June 1st to August 3rd. To get yourself started with a great book, visit our New Teen Titles page, New Graphic Novels page or our Find A Good... page.

Teen Top Ten Nominations

This year's Teen Top Ten Nominations list is out! This is a teen choice list, with books nominated by teens. Teens have all summer to read the titles and then can vote on their favorites starting August 15th at the Teens' Top Ten page. If you're looking for potential summer reading ideas, this is a great place to start.

Nominees:
The Nightmare Affair by Mindee Arnett
Of Triton by Anna Banks
Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
Love in the Time of Global Warming by Francesca Lia Block
The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau
The Eye of Minds by James Dashner
Earth Girl by Janet Edwards
The Clockwork Scarab by Colleen Gleason
Maybe I Will by Laurie Gray
The Girl Who Was Supposed to Die by April Henry
Splintered by A.G. Howard
Teardrop by Lauren Kate
Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg
Monument 14: Sky On Fire by Emmy Laybourne
Six Months Later by Natalie D. Richards
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales
The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson
Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson
This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith
Winger by Andrew Smith
A Midsummer Night's Scream by R.L. Stine
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by April Tucholke
In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters
The 5th Wave by Richard Yancey

Open-Mike Night at Oswego!

The Oswego Campus downtown is hosting an open-mike night on Friday, April 11th to celebrate National Poetry Month! Stop by to read your poetry or even selections from some of your favorite poets. Register on our website's event page if you're interested in performing.

Friday, April 11th 
7:00-8:30 PM
Oswego Campus

Abraham Lincoln Book Award Nominations

The Abraham Lincoln Award Nominations for the coming year were recently announced! This is a readers choice award, given to the book that has the most votes from Illinois high school students. Some of the books on the nomination list are also chosen from high school students' picks so perhaps one of your favorites made the cut:

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

Anna Dressed In Blood by Kendare Blake

Ask the Passengers by A.S. King

The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

DJ Rising by Love Maia

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Escape From Camp 14 by Blaine Harden

Into the Wild Nerd Yonder by Julie Halpern

The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

Stolen by Lucy Christopher

Swim the Fly by Don Calame

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

Winger by Andrew Smith

Best Books of 2013

The end of the year brings many "Best of" lists, including lists of the best Teen Fiction titles over the past year. Check out some of the lists below for reading ideas or to see if any of your favorites made the cut:

Amazon's Best Books of 2013
Goodreads Choice Awards 2013
2013 Teenreads.com Reviewers' Picks

Winter Teen Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer your time by helping our Youth Services Department with one of their programs this Winter. Registration is required to volunteer. You can register online at our Calendar of Events.

Montgomery Campus

Saturday, January 4    12:45-2:15 pm

Assist with the Maker Space program

Saturday, January 18    12:45-2:15 pm

Assist with the Maker Space program

Sunday, January 19    12:45-1:45 pm

Assist with the Super Sunday Story & Craft program

Monday, January 20    1:45-3:45 pm
Assist with the Magic Tree House program

Saturday, January 25    10:45 am-12:15 pm
Assist with the Rockets program

Sunday, January 26    12:45-2:15 pm   
Assist with the UFO Flying Competition

Saturday, February 1    12:45-2:15 pm
Assist with the Maker Space program

Sunday, February 2    12:45-1:45 pm
Assist with the Super Sunday Story & Craft program

Saturday, February 8    10:45 am-11:45 am
Assist with the Cookie Mouse program

Saturday, February 15    12:45-2:15 pm
Assist with the Maker Space program

Sunday, February 16    12:45-1:45 pm
Assist with the Super Sunday Story & Craft program

Oswego Campus
Saturday, January 11    12:30-2:15 pm
Assist with the 'Construction Challenge' program

Saturday, February 8    12:30-2:15 pm
Assist with the 'Construction Challenge' program

Special Location-Plank Jr. High Cafeteria
Saturday, February 1    10:00-11:30 am
Assist with the 'Llama Llama Drama' performance at Plank Jr. High

Fall Teen Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer your time by helping our Youth Services Department with one of their programs this Fall. Registration is required to volunteer. You can register online at our Calendar of Events.

Montgomery Campus
Sunday, September 15    12:45-1:45 pm        
Assist with the Super Sunday Story & Craft program

Thursday, September 19    6:15-7:30 pm      
Assist with the Kids Create: Rubber Band Bracelet program

Saturday, October 5    1:45-3:45 pm              
Assist with the Make a Mask program

Sunday, October 13    12:45-1:45 pm        
Assist with the Super Sunday Story & Craft program

Monday, October 14    12:45-2:15 pm      
Assist with the Science with 4-H program

Monday, October 14    2:00-3:30 pm        
Assist with the GPS Fun with 4-H program

Monday., November 4    6:15-7:45 pm          
Assist with the Kids Create: Duct Tape Wallet program

Sunday, November 10    12:45-1:45 pm        
Assist with the Super Sunday Story & Craft program

Sunday, November 17    12:45-3:15 pm        
Assist with the Brownie Girl Scout program

Sunday, December 8    12:45-1:45 pm          
Assist with the Super Sunday Story & Craft program

Wednesday, December 11    4:45-7:45 pm        
Assist with the Santa Visits the Library program

Wednesday, December 18    6:15-7:30 pm        
Assist with the Kids Create: Fleece Pillow program

Oswego Campus
Saturday, September 14    12:30-2:15 pm      
Assist with the 'Construction Challenge' program

Friday, September 20    6:15-7:30 pm          
Assist with the Kids Create: Rubber Band Bracelet program

Thursday, September 26    6:15-7:30 pm      
Assist with the Kids Create: Jr Airplanes program

Saturday, October 12    12:30-2:15 pm        
Assist with the 'Construction Challenge' program

Saturday, November 9    12:30-2:15 pm          
Assist with the 'Construction Challenge' program

Saturday, December 7    12:30-2:15 pm          
Assist with the 'Construction Challenge' program

Free ACT Practice Tests

Kaplan Test Prep is visiting the Montgomery Campus this Summer to provide free ACT Practice Tests to our patrons. Registration is required so be sure to visit our Calendar of Events to sign-up. Check out the dates and times below:

Saturday, July 13th 10 am-12:30 pm

Tuesday, August 6th 5-8:30 pm

Montgomery Campus

Summer Reading 2013: Dig Into Reading!

Join our 2013 Summer Reading Program and win prizes!  Summer Reading starts Saturday, June 1st and it's really easy to participate.

To Enter:
1. Read or listen to 5 books
(Print books, eBooks, graphic novels and audiobooks are all good choices).

2.Submit a print reading log at the Adult Services Desk OR submit your log online
(Print reading logs can be picked up at the Adult Services Desk).

At the end of the summer the library will have a raffle where you can win all kinds of prizes like movie tickets and gift cards!

Summer Reading runs from June 1st to August 4th. To get yourself started with a great book, visit our New Teen Titles page or our Find A Good... page.

Summer Volunteer Opportunities

Help our Youth Services Department with programs this Summer by volunteering your time! Registration begins 10 days before the event.  To register, visit our Calendar of Events.

Montgomery Campus

Saturday, June 1      10:00-12:30 pm      
Assist with the 'Summer Reading Kick-Off Celebration'

Sunday, June 9         1:45-3:00 pm        
Listen to younger kids read at our 'Reading Buddies' program

Thursday, June 13    2:15-3:45 pm        
Assist with the 'Young Explorers: Make a Fossil' program

Friday, June 21          1:45-3:45 pm        
Assist with the 'All Things Egyptian' program

Sunday, June 23        1:45-3:00 pm      
Listen to younger kids read at our 'Reading Buddies' program

Saturday, July 6         1:45-3:15 pm      
Assist with the 'Kids Create: Make a Terrarium' program

Sunday, July 7            1:45-3:00 pm      
Listen to younger kids read at our 'Reading Buddies' program

Thursday, July 11       2:15-3:45 pm      
Assist with the 'Young Explorers: Archaeology' program

Saturday, July 13        1:45-3:45 pm      
Assist with the 'Meet the Masters: Pollock' program

Sunday, July 21          1:45-3:00 pm      
Listen to younger kids read at our 'Reading Buddies' program

We are also looking for volunteers to come in weekly to assist with our 'Dig Into Science with 4-H' program at the Montgomery Campus. The volunteers must come to the training session. We ask that they be able to attend at least 5 of the 6 regular sessions if they are signing up for the Weekly Volunteer Opportunities.

Tuesday, June 4         9:45-11:00 am      
Mandatory Training Session to assist with 4-H science programs

The 6 sessions will be held at 9:45-11:00 am at the Montgomery Campus on these dates:

Tuesday, June 11
Tuesday, June 18
Tuesday, June 25
Tuesday, July 9
Tuesday, July 16
Tuesday, July 30

Oswego Campus

Tuesday, June 11       1:45-3:15 pm
Assist with the 'Meet the Masters: Calder' program

Thursday, June 13      6:15-7:45 pm
Assist with the 'Construction Challenge' program

Thursday, July 25        6:15-7:45 pm
Assist with the 'Construction Challenge' program

Teen Top Ten Nominations 2013

The Teen Top Ten Nominations were just released. This is a teen nominated list sponsored by the Young Adult Library Services Association. Readers between the ages of 12 and 18 can start voting for their favorites in August at the Teen Top Ten Website, with the winner of the award to be announced in October.

If you're looking for Summer Reading ideas, try adding a few of these to your list!

Crewel by Gennifer Albin
In a futuristic world, Spinsters are women with the power to weave everything into form, whether it be food, buildings, or peoples' very lives.  Adelice Lewys has this talent, and she is whisked away into a world of luxury and elegance because of it.  Although it is often advertised as the perfect life, it is far from it, as things are never how they seem.

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks
Emma has never really questioned her ability to communicate with fish, her strange violet eyes, or her awkwardness on land, but when her best friend, Chloe, dies in a shark attack and the attractive, mysterious Galen keeps showing up in her life, Emma soon learns that she belongs in a different world - one that is underwater.  In the meantime, Galen, the prince of the Syrena, must learn why Emma seems to not quite fit in with either the humans or the Syrena while battling the strong attraction he feels toward her.  As the relationship between the two develops, they are faced with difficult decisions between duty and desire that could lead to a huge change of Syrena history.

Underworld by Meg Cabot
In the second book of the Abandon series, Pierce Oliviera has been, yet again, kidnapped by John Hayden, the ruler of the Underworld.  However, this time she can't escape, and when she gets a video on her phone predicting her cousin, Alex's, death, Pierce panics and begs John for help.  She will do anything if only he will help her cousin out, including staying with him forever in the Underworld.

Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore
When her evil father, King Leck, dies, Bitterblue is made queen of a kingdom she knows nothing about.  As she struggles to come to terms with both who she is and the legacy her father left the city, Bitterblue tries to discover the secrets of her father's crimes by walking the streets of her own city in disguise.  Filled with struggle, suspense and surprises, will she be able to turn her kingdom into a better place?

Poison Princess by Kresley Cole
What really happens at the end of the world?  Cannibals, baggers, people try to sell you - and in this world, sixteen year old Evie is one of the few healthy teen girls.  Evie sets out on a quest to find herself, all the while things heat up between her and Jackson, the troubled bad boy from across the tracks.  She knows life will get even worse as she comes to realize that she isn't like other people.  Luckily or maybe unluckily for her, Jackson is the only one that can help her survive.

Skinny by Donna Cooner
Ever had always wanted to live in a fairy tale, but with 302 lbs weighing her down, it's difficult to achieve.  It's even harder with Skinny, her own private critic, constantly belittling her.  In this inspirational tale, Ever discovers the truth of learning how to overcome and accept the issues that plague her.

Kill Me Softly by Sarah Cross
After being raised her whole life by her fairy godmothers, Mirabelle runs away to the town where they said her parents had died at.  But when she gets there, she starts to notice that this isn't any ordinary town and that the teens that live here are fated to play out the Grimm's fairy tales.  So when Mira finds out that she too has a role to play, it's only a matter of time before her story could lose its happy ending.

Croak by Gina Damico
Lexington "Lex" Battleby is a juvenile delinquent who is sent to her Uncle Mort's after her latest stunt.  Once there, she discovers that she is a Grimm Reaper.  She was born to have the ability to take the souls from the dead bodies and send them to the afterlife.  On the job, she feels the need for justice for the poor people, but they aren't allowed to do anything but transport the souls.  As she deals with this struggle, her limits are tested as she discovers how far she will go to help the souls and herself.

The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda
For as long as he can remember, Gene's father has always taught him how to keep a low profile so no one can notice that he's different.  He can't run as fast, he can't go outside in the daytime, and he doesn't have a lust for blood.  Gene is human and each day is a battle to keep his secret locked away or be devoured by everyone around him.  When he is chosen for a once in a lifetime opportunity to hunt the last few remaining humans, he is thrust into the fight of his life and into the orbit of a girl who makes him feel things he never thought possible.  Little does he know, she has a few secrets of her own.

172 Hours on the Moon by Johan Harstad
When NASA holds a world-wide contest for returning to the moon, no one - not even the three teenage participants - can fathom what is really in store for them up on the airless, empty gray mass.  Or is it truly empty...?  Unbeknownst to them, what they find up there will change not only their lives, but the lives of everyone on Earth.

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
Dragons and humans have finally achieved peace, and the anniversary celebration is fast approaching.  For Seraphina Dombegh who is half dragon and half human, life is about blending in.  However, a series of events will place her in the path of the Prince Lucian, Captain of the Queen's Guard, and a hunt for a killer determined to start a war.

Wake by Amanda Hocking
Three mysterious girls have just blown into town and everyone has their eyes on them.  Little does everyone know, they also have their eyes on the towns' residences.  Gemma in particular has caught their eyes and they want her.  Little does Gemma know, she's about to be thrown into a situation she might not be able to get out of very easily.

Tilt by Ellen Hopkins
Tilt tells the story of 3 teenagers, all wondering about who they are and how they fit into the world.  One struggles with a teen pregnancy, another deals with AIDS while the last must overcome an abusive relationship.  As things begin to change drastically, with them not in control, all they can do is hang on for the ride.

Enchanted by Alethea Kontis
Sunday loves to write stories, the only problem is that when she reads them aloud, they tend to come true.  So when a frog claiming to be a cursed human comes along, he asks her to do two thins, to read a few stories that won't harm anyone and to kiss him.  What Sunday doesn't know is that if she kisses him, her life will change forever.

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
Ismae is the daughter of the God of Death.  After a near escape from her arranged marriage to a convent, Ismae is trained in the arts of a handmaiden of Death-assassination.  Sent to the household of a possible traitor, Gavriel, Ismae begins to see glimpses of faults within her convent, and honor in the man she is sent to spy on.  Despite any feelings or doubts, she knows her first duty is to Death, but she has to wonder, what will her duty cost her and the man she is coming to love?

Butter by Erin Jade Lange
Butter is morbidly obese teenager who is sick of being invisible but who doesn't really want to make a splash either.  One day, he's finally pushed over the edge, and he posts a blog about his last meal, the one that he plans will kill him.  This blog post brings him instant popularity, making Butter happy for once in his life.  But Butter knows that his life is still far from perfect, and he must struggle with himself to determine who he will be and what course his life will take.

Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne
Fourteen kids deal with terror, fear and love all while trapped inside a supermarket.  They are unable to leave as a monster hailstorm has hit, leading to a variety of disasters, like a chemical weapon spill.  Now they must find a way to escape their town, Monument, and get to safety.

Every Day by David Levithan
A wakes up in a different body every day.  It has always been that way for A and A has rules to live by, like not getting too involved in the person's life.  Then, A meets Rhiannon, the girlfriend of Justin, the boy whose  body he is inhabiting.  Suddenly, none of the rules apply because A has found himself falling for Rhiannon and she won't leave A's mind even after A has left Justin's body.

Son by Lois Lowry
In this new branch of the dystopian story started by The Giver, we follow the life of Claire, a birthmother in Jonas's community.  When Claire gives birth and her baby is taken from her, we see the first signs of emotion from someone other than Jonas in the community.  In this riveting tale about the strength of a mother's love, you'll be whisked through an epic adventure of good vs. evil that explores the concepts of freedom, love and sacrifice.

I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga
Jazz is the son of an infamous serial killer and has witnessed crime scenes from the killer's point of view, so when a body is discovered, Jazz wants to use the skills he knows to help find the killer.  However, he's not just trying to prove to other people that he's not like his father; he's also trying to prove it to himself despite what he already knows.

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
Echo is a high school girl with "freaky" scars on her arms and no memory of how it happened.  Noah is the high school stoner who uses girls and has no future.  Over the course of their senior year, their lives will intersect in a way they never could have imagined, going through a journey that will prove to them and each other that they are more than what their reputations demand.

The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen
In a faraway land, civil war is brewing.  To unify his kingdom's divided people, a nobleman named Conner devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king's long-lost son and install him on the throne.  Four orphans are forced to compete for the role, including a defiant and clever boy named Sage.  Sage knows that Conner's motives are more than questionable, yet his life balances on a sword's point - he must be chosen to play the prince or he will certainly be killed.  His rivals have their own agendas as well, so Sage must trust no one and keep his thoughts hidden.  As Sage moves from a rundown orphanage to Conner's sumptuous palace, layer upon layer of lies unfold, until finally, a truth is revealed that may very well prove more dangerous than all the lies taken together.

Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult
Delilah is a lonely, straight-A, freshman student who is shunned by nearly everyone at her school except for her punk best friend, Jules.  Her mother pushes her to get out more by making her join the swim team even though she always gets last place.  Her father left her for another family and never visits.  So it's no wonder she would rather spend her days reading.  She finds a fairy tale that she can't stop reading and falls in love with the prince of the story.  Too bad he's not real...or is he?

Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes
War is brewing and unrest is widespread.  The breaking point is a single incident in the dying nation of Paelsia.  While three kingdoms battle for power, four young people find themselves greatly affected by it as they experience things like betrayal and war.

Insurgent by Veronica Roth
In the sequel to Divergent, Tris Prior is safe housing at the Amity compounds with her fellow survivors.  With the whole city at war with itself and Jeannine looking for all the divergent, Tris must learn to embrace her own divergence and understand it, though it might prove a dangerous task.

Immortal City by Scott Speer
The Immortal City, where guardian angels only protect the richest people.  Maddy doesn't quite understand what all the hype on angels is about, but when the most desired angel, Jacks, asks her for help, she finds out more about angels than she ever expected possible.  Soon after, they begin to fall in love, but when someone threatens this love, what will they do about it?

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
A thrilling adventure that captures you and takes you down the supernatural path with a daring girl named Blue, four complicated guys and one life-altering quest involving the search for the Glendower King.

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
Verity is held captive by the Gestapo in 1943.  She is told to reveal the secrets of the pilot who brought her to France or face the brutal consequences.  As she does this, she weaves a story of an unlikely friendship and the bonds formed by it.  Their tales intertwined form a suspenseful, breathtaking narrative of espionage, hope, horror and friendship.