"Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray

 

💬: The fifty contestants in the Miss Teen Dream Pageant get on a plane thinking that this trip was going to be one of the best of their lives. This beach trip would be perfect. They could tan, swim, party, and get all dolled up for the pageant. For most of the girls, this is the dream. Unfortunately, the plane they were on had a different plan in mind. Instead of landing on a beautiful beach getaway, they would crash onto a deserted island filled with monstrous animals and few necessities- not even lipstick! So what's a beauty queen to do? Should they listen to Taylor, Miss Texas, and practice for the big show she swears they're going to have? Or should they listen to Adina, Miss New Hampshire, and learn how to survive in this 'totally bogus' wilderness? Decisions, decisions. 

And hey! What's up with these sexy pirates? 

❤: What I loved most about this book was definitely the characters. Each character, though similar in their need to get off the island, is thoroughly unique and beautifully hilarious. They are incredibly diverse and not one girl is similar to another. Though you make think these characters are entirely fantastical, you might find yourself relating to them. I specifically relate to Petra, Jennifer, and Adina who are all on a journey of self-discovery. All of the girls have their own stories and Bray specifically tells the reader who each chapter is about (it changes almost every chapter). The comedy in this book is unlike any other book I've ever read. The jokes are thought out and intellectual, while also being offbeat and (sometimes) dark. Overall, I highly recommend this book to teens who want a hilarious read while also getting an emotional adventure.  

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

At the start of the next world war, a plane of young schoolboys crashes on an uncharted island. Stranded, the boys find themselves without adult supervision and no rules to follow. At first, the boys rejoice over their newfound freedoms. They realize that they're far away from everyone and everything. And that means they can do anything they want. Anything. But when the order that they had collapses and they start hearing strange noises at night, some of the boys start to realize that the dream of having an island all to themselves has turned into a nightmare. 

What I liked most about this book was how close it strayed to reality. The decisions that each character made throughout the book were incredibly realistic and true to their character (as well as their age). I also enjoyed the thrill of not knowing what was next or if the boys would ever be rescued. If you choose to read this book, it will have your heart and mind racing. The whole time that you're reading, you'll be asking yourself: "What would I do?"

-Bri, Teen Influencer

The LEGO Marvel Collection features three action-packed LEGO Marvel games: LEGO Marvel Super Heroes, LEGO Marvel's Avengers, and LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2, plus all season pass content for each game! Join your favorite characters in the action-packed Marvel Universe!⁠⁠ 

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes - Players take control of a huge roster of characters as they unite to stop Loki and a host of other Marvel villains from assembling a super-weapon capable of destroying the world.⁠ ⁠

LEGO Marvel's Avengers - Jump into the Marvel Cinematic Universe with characters and storylines from some of the critically-acclaimed films and more!⁠ ⁠ 

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 - Join your favorite Super Heroes and Super Villains from different eras and realities as they go head-to-head with the time-traveling Kang the Conqueror in the all-new, original adventure!⁠

                                                                                Reserve a copy for curbside pickup or in-person checkout!

Five Nights at Freddy's....combining love of adventure, horror and thriller!

TWO YEARS OF FREDDY – The Core Collection includes the first five mainline titles in the FNAF universe that started it all: Five Nights at Freddy’s, Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, Five Nights at Freddy’s 3, Five Nights at Freddy’s 4, and Five Nights at Freddy’s: Sister Location.⁠⁠ 

CELEBRATE WITH NEW FRIENDS – Meet a colorful cast of robotic companions that are ready to welcome you to the Fazbear family including Bonnie, Chica, Foxy and Freddy Fazbear himself.⁠

 ⁠ HIDE AND SEEK – Survive the night by monitoring the suspicious activity of the haunted animatronics that come alive at night. They can run, but you can hide.⁠

 Reserve a copy for curbside pickup or in-person checkout!

Hunted by the Sky... perfect for Fans of An Ember in the Ashes

Hunted by the Sky by Tanaz Bathena is a new series-opener that is full of magic, court intrigue, rebellions, and a tantalizing enemies to lovers trope. Gul was born with a star-shaped birthmark on her arm, the prophesied one to be the downfall of a tyrant king. Only she was one of many girls with star-shaped birthmarks, cut down by the king and his sky warriors. After her parents die protecting her from the same fate, she is taken in by a group of forced her into hiding. When a group of rebel women who train her in warrior magic. But Gul only wants one thing: revenge. Cavas, a lower-class non-mage, is ready to sign his life over to the king's army in exchange for money and medicine for his sick father. But when he meets Gul in the capital's bazaar, their chemistry grows, and he becomes entangled in her mission of vengeance--and discovers secrets of his past that change the course of his future. Hunted by the Sky is a gripping adventure set in a world inspired by medieval India.

Reserve a copy for curbside pickup or in-person checkout or borrow a digital copy on Overdrive!

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky... step aside, Percy Jackson!

 Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia is the first in a new series under the Rick Riordan presents imprint... so if you're a fan of Percy Jackson, then this Coretta Scott King award winner is your next read! What's it about? When seventh-grader Tristan Strong tumbles into the MidPass, he must team up with allies John Henry and Brer Rabbit to entice the god Anansi to come out of hiding and seal the hole Tristan accidentally ripped in the sky.

So if you like series with contemporary heroes, powerful gods, allies out of myth, legend, and folklore, and plenty of fun and action, reserve a copy to check out via curbside pickup or during in-person hours. You can also snag a copy on Hoopla or Overdrive! Need help? Call the library at 781-835-5535.

There Will Come a Darkness... an epic new series opener with a large cast of characters

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We love this debut series starter, There Will Come a Darkness by Katy Rose Pool. Oh and it was a 2020 Morris Award finalist.
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The age of darkness approaches in this lush fantasy debut (and part one of a trilogy). Beautiful world-building and amazing characters: a dying girl, a killer, a prince, a soldier... and the fate of the world hangs in the balance.⁠
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Check it out on your Overdrive account today! Don't have a card? Register for an e-card while the physical library remains closed.

My Hero Academia... your favorite manga super hero school

We've been digging the My Hero Academia series by Kohei Horikoshi.
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In a world where 80% of the population has super powers, or quirks, Izuku Midoriya wants more than anything to get into the prestigious U.A. High School where students train to become heroes. With a little help from his favorite hero, All Might, Izuku just might make it!

Check it out on your Overdrive account today! Don't have a card? Register for an e-card while the physical library remains closed.