Fiction Medley for Teens
May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, Jewish American Heritage Month, and Mental Health Awareness month. Here are some great teen novels celebrating and exploring these themes. (Created April 2023)
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The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen
Hoodie's life in the Orthodox Jewish quarter isn't so bad until he meets and falls in love with Anna-Marie Diaz-O'Leary, the daughter of the mayor who is trying to keep Hoodie's community out of town.
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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My Fine Fellow
In 1830s London, a culinary competition brings together wealthy, white Helena, her best friend, Filipina Penelope, and Jewish Elijah, who all want to bring the best food to the judges, no matter what their tastes.
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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Boy at the Window
Daniel's attempt to fly lands him in a mental hospital, and he struggles to focus on reality, but once he joins a cross-country team and meets Jiwon-Yoon, he learns he may have a friend who will stay with him in his fantasy land, or who will help free him.
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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The Poetry of Secrets
Isabel's family pretends to be Christian to avoid the watchful Inquisition, and even arranges her marriage to the town warden for their protection, but her heart must be free, and her meeting with Diego, who burns to paint as much as she wishes to write poetry, sets them on a dangerous path.
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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The Silence That Binds Us
After her older brother dies by suicide, May and her parents grieve, even as she tries to counter racist stereotypes about successful Asian families.
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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In Limbo
Ever since moving to America from South Korea, Jung-Jin has had trouble fitting in and finding her place, and the stress is almost too much to take, but luckily, her devotion to art will save her life.
Format: Graphic Novel
Availability: Available
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A Scatter of Light
After an embarrassing photo is leaked online, Aria's parents send her to spend the summer with her grandmother near San Francisco, where she immediately connects with gender non-conforming Steph, who helps her see her true self.
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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This Rebel Heart
Ever since Csilla's parents were killed by the repressive Communist regime for being Jewish, she has worked as a lowly typist, but when the government exonerates and reburies them, she knows change is in the air, and she must flee Hungary if she is to survive.
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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The Summer of Lost Letters
Abigail's discovery of her late grandmother's old love letters leads her to Nantucket, where she hopes to find the man who wrote them. She discovers instead his grandson Noah, who wants to keep the love affair between his grandfather and her grandmother quiet, even though it ended fifty years ago.
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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Eight Nights of Flirting
Snowed in and alone with her former crush and current enemy Tyler during Hanukah, Shira still goes through the motions of the holiday rituals, but also agrees to help Tyler get career counseling with her uncle if he will teach her how to flirt.
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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