Hot for Summer
Summer tends to be uncomfortably warm . . . unless you live in England. This reading list, the
first of the summer, opens with two 2015 Printz winners: I’ll Give You the Sun and Grasshopper
Jungle. Intense, emotional, vivid and completely original: these books are strong “flavours” that
won’t be to everyone’s taste. The rest of the novels on our list are all new for 2015 and many
deal with “hot-button” topics – everything from terrorism and FGM, to bipolar disorder and
having a gay father. Whether it concerns love, art, death or the possible destruction of the
world, summer reading is hot.
All the Bright Places
Jennifer Niven
When Fitch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower, it is
debatable as to who is saving whom. Violet hasn’t recovered from her
sister’s death, while Fitch – the class “freak” – struggles with highs and
lows that he cannot control. Tentative friendship turns into romance,
but can there be a happy ending for this unlikely pair?
sexuality; strong language; drugs/alcohol
What Was Never Said
Emma Craigie
When 15 year-old Zahra sees the woman in black, memories of her
Somalian childhood come flooding back. Zahra has been told
nothing, but what she suspects will motivate her to do anything to
protect her younger sister – even if it means running away from
home. Author Emma Craigie draws attention to the important
human rights issues of FGM with this contemporary novel set in
London. The disturbing topic is sensitively handled.
violence; drugs/alcohol; strong language; emotionally disturbing
We All Looked Up
Tommy Wallach
As disaster approaches, four high school seniors become unlikely friends. If you only have two months to live, how do you make that life count?
violence; sexuality; strong language; drugs/alcohol
This Is Not a Love Story
Keren David
Kitty has heart problems, and not just the physical kind. When her
mum’s job takes them to Amsterdam, Kitty embraces her new
Instagrammed life. There are also new friendships with not one, but
two intriguing boys: Theo and Ethan. Will friendship develop into
romance – or just more complications?
sexuality; strong language; drugs/alcohol
Vanishing Girls
Lauren Oliver
Before the accident, Nick and Dara were the closest of sisters. But
now Dara is hiding secrets and Nick cannot seem to remember what
really happened. When a local girl goes missing, Nick has a hunch
that the mystery is somehow connected to her little sister. This
psychological thriller will appeal to readers who enjoy the unsettling
and unpredictable.
strong language; drugs/alcohol; violence; sexuality
Me Being Me is Exactly as Insane as You Being You
Todd Hasak-Lowy
Darren Jacobs is having a really bad year. His parents have got
divorced, his dad has come out as gay and he has a hopeless crush
on the mysterious and troubled Zoey. This humorous coming-ofage
novel has a unique narrative style. Through a series of lists,
Darren’s “tragic” life is described to great comic effect.
sexuality; strong language; drugs/alcohol
If You Were Me
Sam Hepburn
After their narrow escape from the Taliban, Aliya and her family hope
to rebuild their lives in London. Instead, their situation worsens.
Aliya’s brother is badly injured by a bomb, and then accused of
terrorism. Aliya is determined to prove her brother’s innocence, even
when everyone else turns against them and the dead bodies start
piling up. Help comes from an unexpected source – but can Aliya
trust Dan, the plumber’s son? This tense thriller will grip readers
from the first chapter.
violence; drugs/alcohol
I’ll Give You the Sun
Jandy Nelson
Jude and Noah are twins: intensely close, but fiercely competitive about everything from their artistic talent to their mother’s attention. At the beginning of their 14th year, a series of secrets and betrayals – and one huge tragedy – drives them apart. Art becomes a wedge between them, but also offers redemption and transformation. This beautifully written novel won the 2015 Printz award.
This novel contains some sexual scenes and references to drugs/alcohol.
Grasshopper Jungle
Andrew Smith
It all starts when Austin and his best friend Robby are beaten up by
four local thugs. Ealing, Iowa may look like a dead-end town, but all
kinds of dangerous secrets are buried there. When a scientific
experiment gets spilled, havoc is unleashed. Part science fiction, part
social satire, this original novel will appeal to readers with a strong
stomach for gross-out humour.
strong language, sexuality; violence; drugs/alcohol
Extraordinary Means
Robyn Schneider
Lane is a classic overachiever, always living for tomorrow’s goals.
When he is diagnosed with tuberculosis, he must trade dreams of
Stanford for a sanatorium. Exiled at Latham House, Lane meets
Sadie and her group of friends. Although they are living with the
constant threat of death, Lane is having fun – for maybe the first
time in his life.
strong language; drugs/alcohol
