The Stone Rainbow
by Liane Shaw
Second story Press, 2019
978-1772601084
Interest Level: Grades 8 and up
17 year old Jack is trying to figure out how to be himself in his small town where diversity isn’t the “norm”. He has come out to his mom and she is struggling to accept the news. When a new student arrives at school, Jack’s feelings get even more complicated. Jack needs to lean on his circle of friends and family to find some inner peace and change the mentality of his town.
Crown of Feathers
by Nicki Pau Preto
Simon Pulse, 2019
978-1534424623
Interest Level: Grades 7 and up
Veronyka and her sister Val are barely surviving after the war that killed their parents. Before the war the Phoenix Riders ruled the skies, and the sisters are determined to use their magic to bring back a phoenix and become Riders themselves. But when the hatchling bonds to Veronyka, Val betrays her and Veronyka must find a way to do it alone.
by Natasha Deen
Running Kids Press, 2019
978-0762465477
Interest Level: Grades 7 and up
It isn’t easy to be the only Guyanese girl in school. All Nira wants to do is immerse herself in music, but her parents don’t think music is the right path for her. After Nira auditions for a jazz band at school she discovers that sometimes life doesn’t work out the way you hope it will, but that there are always other paths available to take.
by Kelly Powell
Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2019
978-1534438071
Interest Level: Grades 7 and up
For generations the Islanders have hated and feared the sirens, creatures that live in the sea and lure humans to their death. When a dead body is found on the beach everyone assumes that the sirens killed him. But Moira disagrees. She doesn’t believe that the sirens committed the crime and she’s determined to find the truth, no matter what the cost.
by Colleen Nelson
Dundurn Press, 2019
978-1459744967
Interest Level: Grades 7 and up
What if your mother was a celebrity who abandoned you at birth? Fifteen-year-old Dizzy lives above her father’s record store, goes to school, spins records, and tries to get her start in the music industry. Dizzy, her dad and her brother have a tight-knit family. But will everything change when the superstar schedules a concert in their city?
by Lisa Harrington
Nimbus Publishing, 2019
978-1771087544
Interest Level: Grades 7 and up
After 14-year-old Lucy’s mother passes away she is sent to her great-aunt Josie’s for the summer. Lonely and bored, she meets Colin who is digging a hole in his backyard and Kit who loves to dress up as Princess Leia. With the help of her new friends, Lucy decides to dig through some of the family secrets and discover why her mother and aunt never spoke to each other.
by Cary Fagan
Tundra Books, 2019
978-0735266216
Interest Level: Grade 7 and up
Hartley Staples’ life is falling apart. His brother has run away, his best friend won’t speak to him, and he can’t think of an idea for his middle school final project. Gretchen Oyster’s life is troubled, too, and the only way she’s able to connect with others is through her handmade post cards. Once they meet, their worlds will never be the same.
by Allison Mills
Annick Press, 2019
978-81773212968
Interest Level: Grades 7 and up
Shelly loves using the gift she shares with her Kokum. They have the ability to catch ghosts in their hair and help them to pass on from this world. But after Shelly’s mom dies, things change. Shelly starts holding on to the ghosts, in hopes that she can connect with her mother’s spirit.
by Kate Blair
Cormorant Books, 2019
978-1770865549
Interest Level: Grade 7 and up
13-year-old Silva’s world is falling apart. Alzheimer’s has stolen her grandfather from her, so she seeks refuge at the library. After following a magpie into a secret room, Silva discovers books that are like nothing she’s ever read before. But there’s a high price to pay every time she visits. Silva must somehow save herself and others who have fallen under the magpie’s spell before it’s too late.
by Tim Wynne-Jones
Candlewick Press, 2019
978-1536202649
Interest Level: Grades 7 and up
It’s been 4 months since 16-year-old Nate’s friend Dodge died in a mysterious boating accident. Nate needs some answers, so he heads to the site of the accident, his family’s remote cabin in the wilderness. There’s a blizzard on the way and some unexpected surprises. Nate must somehow survive the elements, stay safe, and just maybe find some closure and grieve the loss of his friend.