Tag: young adult

cover of The Wilde Trials
Posted in So Many Good Books, YA Novels

The Wilde Trials

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

The Wilde Trials (Storytide, 2025) by MacKenzie Reed is quite a thrilling adventure that reminds me somewhat of The Hunger Games, although the intent of the competition is not to kill kids! I zipped through this book and did not want to stop reading.

At Chloe’s elite boarding school seniors can apply to participate in The Wilde Trials, seven ultimate physical and mental tests, for 12 students. It’s a way to get out of finals, but best yet the winner will receive $500,000! Which Chloe’s family really could use since her younger sister has cancer.

Surprisingly, Chloe’s ex-boyfriend Hayes, whose brother died during a previous trials, is also chosen. Then Chloe is blackmailed and she must work with Hayes. Now she’s worried that someone else might die too.

Go here to see MacKenzie’s other books (past and forthcoming) and to read about her.

cover of Internment
Posted in So Many Good Books, YA Novels

Internment

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Internment (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Hachette, 2019) by Samira Ahmed might be even more of an important read than it was when it first came out. Or perhaps I should say, this powerful book continues to be important.

Here are two of the lines on the first page that really give you a sense of what’s coming. “Most of the town is at the book burning, so I should be safe. Or, at least, safer.” Scary? Yes!

In a horrible near future story, 17-year-old Layla Amin and her parents are forced into an internment camp for Muslim Americans. Her boyfriend is on the outside. She, her new friends, and boyfriend, fight for their freedom.

This novel was nominated for the Goodreads Choice Awards for Young Adult Fiction Best Books 2019, chosen as a Semifinalist Best Fiction for Young Adults 2019-2020, on the Georgia Peach Book Award List 2020-2021, on the Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Awards List sponsored by the Pennsylvania School Librarians Association, was nominated for the Lincoln Award 2021, and the Winner of the Pennsylvania State Literacy Association’s Keystone to Reading Secondary Book Award for 2020-2021.

Read about this bestselling author here. Samira writes young adult, middle grade, comics, and is in and has edited anthologies. Read more here.

cover of I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You
Posted in So Many Good Books, YA Novels

I’d Tell You I Love You But Then I’d Have to Kill You

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

When are they going to make the movie?

I just read I’d Tell You I Love You But Then I’d Have to Kill You by Ally Carter.  The book is well written, and fun.

Cammie Morgan goes to boarding school.  It may look like a school for snooty rich girls on the outside, but really it’s a school to train female spies!

The opening grabs you right in and immediately sets the tone for the rest of the book.  I know I’ll be checking out the sequel.

Read about author Ally Carter at her website:  http://www.allycarter.com/