Cool for the Summer by Dahlia Adler

The novel, “Cool for the Summer” written by Dahlia Adler is about a girl named Larissa Bogdan who is head over heels over a boy named Chase Harding but suddenly a girl over the summer might be the one who changes her mind. Larissa was supposed to have a typical summer job, which included babysitting and working at a bookshop, however her mother dragged her to the Outer Banks for work purposes. She stayed in a lavish house with her mom, her mom’s boss, and Jasmine, her mom’s boss’s daughter. Almost immediately they hit it off. Jasmine brought her to parties, outings, and they hung out alot together. They became best friends and started what some may call a summer fling. They kissed and fooled around, but when the summer ended Larissa went back to New York and continued her crush on Chase. But then as Chase starts to show his feelings, Larissa sees Jasmine walking into her school. Not knowing what to do, she and Jasmine both ignore each other, they didn’t talk much, and when they do it’s very awkward. Larissa is really confused and doesn’t understand her feelings, especially since she now has Chase, a perfect gentleman as her boyfriend. Yet Jasmine keeps infiltrating her thoughts. Her emotions are spiraling and she doesn’t know whether Jasmine wants what she wants or whether she’s just being crazy because it’s Chase, the guy she has been mooning over forever.

I definitely recommend this book for ages 13 and up, as well as anyone who loves a contemporary romance read. It was light and to be honest I read it in a day. I love the LGBTQ+ component, because it’s Lara accepting herself and who she is and that is so important. I also love that her mom is so accepting because we know in this world most people shun their kids just for something they can’t control. Anyway, I enjoyed this book.

Written by Julia, Teen Volunteer

Every Day by David Levithan

The book Every Day by David Levithan follows Rhiannon, a normal adolescent girl, and A, a person who wakes up in a different body every morning. A normally attempts to respect their hosts’ lives and help them with their day-to-day tasks; but, they fall in love with Rhiannon at first sight and can’t seem to get enough of her companionship. A begins to take greater risks to be with Rhiannon, but they are unable to be together due to two big concerns. One is that A wakes up every day as a different person, in a different area, with a different appearance. The other issue is that Rhiannon continues to cling to her failed relationship with her boyfriend, Justin, who also happens to be the one who introduced A and Rhiannon. This book is more of a romance novel that follows a relationship and the struggles or concerns that follow it. The most common patterns in this book are complicated romance, selfishness, obsessions, damaging people, and evil characteristics.

Written by Elyssa, Teen Volunteer

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

In To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, by Jenny Han, the main character Lara Jean struggles with romance in her teen life. Lara Jean is a high schooler with one older sister and one younger sister. Like many other girls her age, Lara Jean had romantic interest in other people her age. But unlike most teens, Lara Jean wrote letters to them, and her sister exposed her feelings to these people by sending them out.

 After the love letters Lara Jean wrote were sent to five boys, Lara Jean has to deal with the confrontation that follows. Two of these boys, Josh and Peter, are boys Lara Jean has to see during her daily life, since Peter is her classmate, and Josh is her neighbor. Since Josh is now dating Lara Jean’s older sister, Lara Jean lies to him and tells him she lost feelings for him due to the relationship she is currently in. During this on the spot confession, Lara Jean blurts out that she is dating Peter, and to prove it she kisses him in the middle of the school track. 

The pair decide to pretend to be a couple to help each other through the high school drama of feelings and breakups. As the two fake their relationship, they begin to develop a genuine connection that can be seen as more than friends. Continue reading to find out how the connection between Lara Jean and Peter changes throughout the story.

 I would suggest this book to middle and high schoolers. This book is a cheesy romance and a light read. You will most certainly cringe and laugh at the same time as you read this story. Also, this book may appeal to those who watched the movie series To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before. Overall, this is a great choice for many young readers looking for a good read.

Written by Arianna, Teen Volunteer

The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West

The novel, The Fill-In Boyfriend written by Kasie West takes place in the parking lot of Gia Montgomery’s high school on the day of senior prom. Gia’s boyfriend Bradley breaks up with her on the day of prom, right before they go into into the dance. Now the dilemma is she has been telling her friends about him for months and if she shows up with no one, they’re going to think she’s lying. While Gia is in the parking lot of her high school being dumped, she sees a guy in a car staring at her. Gia goes up to this guy and asks him to be the fill-in Bradley for prom, and he surprisingly agrees. Now she owes fill-in Bradely a favor which results in more lies. Fill-in Bradley is actually known as Hayden and his sister asks for him a favor. Hayden’s ex-girlfriend has invited him to a graduation party and his sister doesn’t want him to fall back in love. So Gia goes with him. She then begins to question if she can turn her fake boyfriend into her actual boyfriend. 

I would recommend this book because it is easy and light to read and has classic romance for teens and young adults. There are many components of the elements that one needs to know before venturing off into college and adulthood. This novel shows some of these aspects. Not only is this book super cute and fun but there are life lessons and messages as well.

Written by Julia, Teen Volunteer

Once and For All by Sarah Dessen

In the novel Once and For All, by Sarah Dessen, Louna doubts the love and romance that is in the world around her. At the beginning of the book, Louna’s only love, Ethan, is dead and she is feeling hopeless. She works for a wedding planning company but after witnessing the relationships between the brides and grooms, Louna has lost faith in her ability to fall in love. 

While Louna is stuck in this state of mind, she comes across a wedding that requires the help of the bride’s brother, Ambrose. He has a different personality than any other boy she has ever come across; he is more honest, kind, and charming. Despite her thoughts, Louna cannot admit that these are her feelings towards him. 

Louna builds a relationship with Ambrose, but does not allow herself to become too deeply involved. She is still caught up in the death of her previous love, and tells herself love cannot be real. She also notes that Ambrose has had a history of dating many women, which is not a benefit to her feelings towards him. Ambrose works desperately to win her over because he realizes that she is the one for him, and over time, Louna comes to see that his actions are sincere and thoughtful. He is considerate and truly cares for her well-being. The journey throughout this book shows how Louna develops as a person and leads up to her final decision at the end, and whether she will take a second chance at love. 

At the beginning of the book, Louna is distrusting and lacks hope, but she slowly starts to open up to new possibilities. Throughout the book, Louna also gains acceptance in Ethan’s death. As Louna builds trust, she becomes a happier person. This book is a great read that wrapps the reader into the plot. The readers can compare themselves to the actions of Louna, and see how they may have also reacted to the situations she faces.

Written by Arianna, Teen Volunteer

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

The novel An Abundance of Katherines, by John Green, is about a seventeen year old boy named Colin who is trying to discover himself. Colin is in a depressed state at the beginning of the book. He is considered to be a child prodigy, but is not yet labeled as a genius. He has had many breakups with a variety of girls, all of whom are named Katherine. He tries to develop a perfect formula to get another Katherine to fall in love with him, but in the process he begins to find interest in a girl named Lindsey, who is not the same as his average Katherine. 

Throughout the book, Colin learns more about himself and finds there is not a perfect solution to every situation. Colin is able to find happiness in the world and in himself. This book taught me that logic is not always the answer and that having joy is valued over having knowledge. 

Colin is very book smart, but his journey throughout the novel gives him new realizations about life and the people that surround him. When Colin arrived at this understanding, it led me to find the same message. This book is a great read because you can travel along with Colin as he finds himself.

Written by Arianna, Teen Volunteer

Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott

In Five Feet Apart, Stella Grant is a teenager with cystic fibrosis, a disease which causes her lungs to fill with fluid, and makes it difficult to breathe. Taking constant trips to the hospital has created a life separate from her friends, and has different hobbies than a typical teenager. A guy new to the hospital named Will Newman also has cystic fibrosis. He is intriguing to Stella. Because their immune systems have different germs, cystic fibrosis patients are supposed to stay at least six feet apart from one another to prevent cross-contamination. Stella tries to stay as healthy as possible as she awaits her new lungs. At the same time, she gets to know Will, and they become closer emotionally. As they continue on with their friendship they begin to develop romantic feelings for each other. 

My opinion on this book is that  Will and Stella are excellent characters and I really enjoyed their interactions. I also liked how this novel included romance, so it is perfect for those who enjoy reading this specific genre. I felt like Stella and Will were real people because the author didn’t just mention their qualities, but she put both main characters in almost the same perspective. I also felt like I learned a lot about cystic fibrosis and it is good to learn new things. The book is very emotional, so tears might end up trickling down your face during certain parts. Overall, this story was a good experience and teaches you a lot about love while battling chronic illness.

Written by Elyssa, Teen Volunteer

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

In the novel The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas,  Starr Carter is trying to balance between her two lives; her home life, where she lives in a poor, mostly black neighborhood, and her school life, at a private rich prep school with a white majority. At a neighborhood party, Starr meets up with her best friend from her childhood, Khalil, who she had not seen in a while. But when gunshots are heard, they head out the door quickly to drive home. On the way, a white officer pulls the car over for no apparent reason. When Khalil questions this, he is told to step outside the vehicle to be searched, but in the process, the police officer assumes Khalil is trying to pull a move, and shoots him dead. After this, Starr tries to confide in her school friends, but neither of them understand. When she tries to testify for the police officer to be brought to justice, they do not ask her about the event as much as Khalil’s rough past, which they could use against him. 

Throughout the book Starr must find the courage to act in order to find justice for the inequalities her community faces. She struggles to find her voice to stand up for what’s right. She has to fight between fitting in and standing out while doing the right thing. This book inspired me to fight for what is right. This novel’s vivid description allowed me to put myself in Starr’s shoes and feel the whelm of emotions that she felt. I felt her frustration at the unfair treatment she received and  how frustrating it is to not be able to change your circumstances. This book offers depth and a viewpoint that the readers may have not considered. This novel uncovers the truth that the readers need to hear, and will change their view of the world around them for the rest of their lives.

Written by Arianna, Teen Volunteer

The Sun is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon

In The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon, Natasha is a teenage girl whose family is preparing to be deported out of the United States the following day. As Natasha tries to find a way to help her family, she meets Daniel, a seventeen year old boy who is on his way to get a haircut before his Yale interview, which he is only attending in order to please his parents. They immediately feel a connection, despite their differences, including  that Natasha is led by her head and Daniel is led by his heart. The pair stay together throughout the day and begin to understand each other and the circumstances they are each facing. From their time together, Daniel learns to start breaking away from his parent’s plans for him on his own. Nataha learns that the meaning of life exists beyond facts and logic.

This book taught me to consider life from other perspectives than my own. It also taught me to live life to the fullest and enjoy each moment I have. I learned to start acting rather than wasting time, because you never know when your time might run out. The book can be interpreted to have a variety of meanings based on the reader, so this book is a great choice for a wide age range.

Written by Arianna, Teen Volunteer

Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon

In Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon, Maddy is an eighteen year old girl who has never been in the outside world. She has a health condition named SCID, which causes her to have a weak immune system. Maddy has spent most of her life in her house with only the company of her nurse Carla and her mother Pauline. Then, a new family moves into the house next to them. She begins to communicate with Olly, the teenage boy who lives in this house. As she grows closer to him, her nurse allows a meeting with Olly inside Maddy’s house.

One night, when Olly is in a fight with his father, Maddy cannot help herself and runs outside. When her mother comes to realize Maddy and Olly have a relationship together, she fires Carla and prevents their meetings. Soon after, Maddy runs away from home with Olly despite her sickness. During this trip, Maddy becomes sick and is hospitalized, and finally returns home. 

Throughout the novel, Maddy remains curious and seeks the truth. She has unwavering strength, compassion, and dedication. During the book, Maddy finds friendship and develops a sense of adventure. Maddy inspires me to question the world around me and stand up for my beliefs. Her strength encourages me to persevere. This book is an entertaining read that will captivate the reader, and leave them holding onto the end of each sentence. It will give the readers a yearn to find knowledge and make more of their lives.

Written by Arianna, Teen Volunteer