Category Archives: Nontraditional Format
Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick
“He wished that he was with his mom in her library, where everything was safe and numbered and organized by the Dewey decimal system. Ben wished the world was organized by the Dewey decimal system. That way you’d be able … Continue reading
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
“I had just come to accept that my life would be ordinary when extraordinary things began to happen. The first of these came as a terrible shock, and like anything that changes you forever, split my life into halves: Before … Continue reading
Filed under Adventure, Horror, Magical Realism, Mystery, Nontraditional Format
Throwaway Daughter by Ting-Xing Ye
“You can’t be two people at the same time-not without ending up in a mental institution. I’m not just Grace Parker. I’ve accepted that. I wasn’t born at Soldier’s Memorial. I was unwanted by my so-called real parents. That’s the … Continue reading
Filed under Fiction, Multiple Voices, Realistic Fiction
Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
This book is too good: I had to start with more than one quote! Mom: “It’s more than that, sweetheart. Every time you use new Lady ‘Stache Off with triple beauty action, you’re contributing to our economy, our way of … Continue reading
Filed under Adventure, GLBT, Multiple Voices
Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King
“Because with Charlie, nothing was ever easy. Everything was windswept and octagonal and finger-combed. Everything was difficult and odd, and the theme songs all had minor chords.” Vera’s former best friend Charlie is dead. It’s hard enough when your best … Continue reading
Identical by Ellen Hopkins
“At ten it isn’t exactly easy to separate good touch from bad touch, proper love from improper love, doting daddy from perv.” Kaeleigh and Raeanne are identical twins: beautiful, wealthy, well-dressed, living in a large house in a prestigious area. … Continue reading
Filed under ALA Quick Pick, Verse Novel, YA Lit
Punkzilla by Adam Rapp
“Man my stomach feels twisted in knots. I just hope I get to Memphis ok so I can see you P. My hand is mad killing me too so I’m going to end this letter. I just heard an announcement … Continue reading
Filed under Award Winners, Epistolary, GLBT, Printz Honor Book, YA Lit
Impulse by Ellen Hopkins
“Pray you could somehow stop the uncertainty, somehow stop the loathing, somehow stop the pain. Act on your impulse swallow the bottle, cut a little deeper, put the gun to your chest.” Before you panic about that quote, I’ll explain: … Continue reading
Filed under ALA/YALSA Best Book, Realistic Fiction, Verse Novel, YA Lit
