YARP 2018-2019: Round 2

We got some of the last few YARP books in today. I believe there is 1 more yet to come, but here's the 2nd batch.

Middle School

Hunted by Meagan Spooner (fantasy)

In a remixed, retelling of Beauty and the Beast, Yeva's life began in the forest lodge of her father. Although they have long since moved from there to the city, where she is raised among the aristocrats, she still longs for the days of the forest, and hunting in the wild. When her father's fortune suddenly fails, and they're forced to return to the outskirts of the city, Yeva is more than happy to oblige. But, when her father goes missing, Yeva wonders if his fall from wealth, combined with his earlier obsession with finding the 'beast' of the forest, has done her father in. With her hunting skills renewed, and despite her sister's protests, Yeva sets out to find her father, and along they way, finds the lair of the beast, with creatures she only imagined in fairy tales.

Speed of Life by Carol Weston (realistic fiction)

When Sofia's mother passes away, everyone she knows is there to support her and help any way they can. However, as month 8 passes, and a new year begins, everyone is ready to move on, except Sofia. As the days wear on, and Sofia finds she can't, she decides to write to an advice columnist for help. Surprisingly, a connection forms between the two, and soon they're exchanging emails, and Sofia finds herself opening up all the worries, fears, and pain she'd kept inside. However, what will happen when Sofia discovers a secret that turns her world upside down?

Slider by Pete Hautman (realistic fiction)

David can down a pizza in 4 minutes and 30 seconds. While that may be impressive to some, it's not near what he needs to become the best in the upcoming eating contest. David NEEDS to win this contest, especially after charging $2,000 to his moms credit card. While his focus needs to be on his rapid consumption of food,David is finding it hard to do so, when he's also torn between caring for his younger brother, Mal, who would be labeled autistic (if his family believed in labels), and the weird stuff going on between his two best friends, Cyn and HeyMan.

Amina's Voice by Hena Khan (realistic fiction)

In the midst of transitioning to middle school, Amina finds that a lot more than just school is changing. Her best friend Soojin is suddenly drifting toward the 'cool' kids and talking about changing her name to something more 'American'. Her local Mosque is vandalized, and Amina, who has never liked the spotlight, finds that she may need to enter it, to use her voice to bring people together.

High School

This Is Our Story by Ashley Elston (mystery/thriller)

Kate scores an internship her senior year at the district attorneys' office. While not very glamorous, it does, at least , look good on her college applications. All that changes when the DA hands her boss, Mr. Stone, the biggest case the town has ever seen. When 5 boys go out hunting, and only 4 return, the mystery begins. The DA wants her boss to sweep the whole thing under the rug, as his position in office he owes to the powerful families of the boys. Kate, however, has no intention of letting this go. With careful investigation, Kate finds that nothing about this is what it seems. Nothing about the murdered boy, Grant, is what she thought, and through it all, it becomes more and more clear that this accident may not have been an accident at all. The closer she gets to the truth, the closer she comes to finding more lives may be on the line, including her own.