The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael Lopez

This is a beautiful picture book about feeling different and belonging. With warm illustrations that are reminiscent of Ezra Jack Keats in The Snowy Day, this story reveals a child-eye's view of navigating the world when you feel like you're on the outside looking in.

...Pine & Boof: The Lucky Leaf by Ross Burach.  I love how this book strikes the perfect balance between silly and sentimental.  Author-illustrator, Burach, does an amazing job of pairing words and pictures to draw us into the story of Boof the Bear and Pine the porcupine who embark on a wild adventure as they attempt to recover Boof’s lucky red leaf.

The Hate U Give

By Angie Thomas

This book is the real deal. Not only is it the best YA book I have read this year, it is the best book I have read this year period. It got me from the very first page, and never let me go. If you read any book this year, let it be this one.

Queen of Hearts by Colleen Oakes

(Book 1 in The Queen of Hearts series)

When an enchanting stranger arrives at Wonderland Palace, Princess Dinah, the future Queen of Hearts, is launched into Wonderland's dangerous political game. She must stay one step ahead of her cunning enemies or she'll lose not just the crown but her head.

The Diabolic by S.J. Kincaid

“A diabolic is ruthless. A diabolic is powerful. A diabolic has a single task: kill in order to protect the person you’ve been created for”

Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth

The author of Divergent has come out with a new series, Carve the Mark being the first. It is happily different from Divergent, though just as riveting! It is a mix of fantasy and science fiction, set in a galaxy different from our own. The planets are powered by the current, and each person has a gift, and some a fate. While there are many versions of the future, there is no escaping your fate.

The Masked Truth by Kelley Armstrong

 Riley Vasquez is haunted by the brutal murder of the couple she was babysitting for. Max Cross is suffering under the shadow of a life-altering diagnosis he doesn't dare reveal. The last thing either of them wants is to spend a weekend away at a therapy camp alongside five other teens with "issues". But that's exactly where they are when three masked men burst in to take the group hostage.

Are you a member of GCR? Report ONLINE here for your ONLINE BALLOT  -- read a book and add your review to earn an online ballot!  You'll be entered for the weekly draw at the location where you registered!  Not registered yet?  Join the Get Caught Reading Teen Summer Reading Challenge at any location of London Public Library until August 20. Save the date: Sat.

The one and only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

Click on book cover to get book!

The Fly by Elise Gravel