The In-Betweener (Between Life and Death Book #1) by Ann Christy

GENRE: Post Apocalyptic, Zombies

This is not just another zombie book it is more thought provoking. A nanite has been developed to cure illnesses. Emily has a rare and deadly brain cancer and the first generation of the nanites were used to cure it. Her mother works in the program with the military somehow so she knows when things go horribly wrong. An update causes people who should be dead to come alive but with only minimal insticts-eat meat. How will Emily survive?

This fast paced book shows how good intentions can go wrong when in the wrong hands. Emily is a truely genuine character and shows that humanity can survive even in the worst conditions. It is a very fast paced book and I had to get the rest of the series. 

The Awakened by Sara Elizabeth Santana

GENRE: Post Apocalyptic, Zombie

This was a very high paced zombie novel. Zoey, the main protagonist, has been raised by her father and he made sure she could defend herself. She has been tormented by her next door neighbor Ash all he life. Now they have to survive together.

Santana creates characters that you feel like you know. They are like normal teenagers until the Z Virus hits. This was a very fast read and I really look forward to reading the next installment.

Driving Lessons: A You Know Who Girls Book by Annameekee Hesik

GENRE: YA Lesbian, Coming of Age

This is the second book about Abbey Brooks. She survived freshman year with a few emotional scars but she definately knows who she is. Now she has to figure out how to tell her mom. Oh, and find a girlfriend who won't break her heart. Nothing big.

I love that Hesik writes from the heart. It makes the characters real. I flew through this book and went hunting for the next one. It is not out yet. Supposedly in July so I am eagerly awaiting it to find out what happens to Abbey next.

The You Know Who Girls:Freshmen Year by Annameekee Hesik

GENRE: Lesbian Fiction, Coming of Age

This is an incredible book about finding out who you are and the trials that come with it. Hesik creates believeable characters that you just want everything to work out for, The pace is steady and made me feel like I was back in high school again with all the drama and confusion. This is definately a book I can recommend to students because it is not explicit. In fact it is almost painful in it's curiosity and innocence, in a good way. 

Solitaire by Alice Oseman

GENRE: YA, Mystery, Romance(Kind of)

[Solitaire] is one of those books that came across my feed as "We Think You Might Like". It was compared to John Green and Rainbow Rowell. I will agree with that but British, definately British. It has lots of unexpected twists and turns and is written so well you get through the book in no time. The fact that I was kept guessing until almost the end was amazing.

Washed Away:Flood of 1913 by Geoff Williams

GENRE: NonFiction, Disaster

The Great Flood of 1913 is perhaps the biggest disaster that no one has heard about. It impacted fourteen states and was not only a flood but also a tornado outbreak. The impact was felt for a long time through many communities.

This is a well researched and constructed narractive of the events during the disaster of 1913. It not only adequately explains the scientific and historic aspects of this event but really focuses on the humanistic angle. By telling the stories of the people that were effected by this event it makes it very readable as well as informative. 

Keeping You A Secret by Julie Ann Peters

GENRE: Lesbian YA

This is out and out a love story. The fact that it is two girls just adds another dimension. Cece is the 'out' lesbian. Holland is the girl everyone wants to be, ecept she is pretending. When she stops pretending to herself she begins to realize how very hard being yourself and love can be.

I thought this book was good. As a teacher I think Julie Ann Peters does an excellent job of capturing what it means to be young and gay. I feel comfortable recommending this book to some of my students especially my LGBTQ kids. It has a good messege and hard realities.