Older Readers
Cancelled.
By Farrah Penn.
Mar. 2024. 368p. Viking, $19.99 (9780593528303). Gr. 9–12.
High-school senior Brynn Whittaker has a reputation as a serial dater, and she has a side business coaching her peers in initiating relationships with their crushes. So when a viral video suggests that she is the one hooking up with another girl’s boyfriend at a Halloween party, she becomes “cancelled.” It wasn’t her, but no one believes her. At first, she just wants to find the girl in the video and out her, subjecting her to the same treatment that she has received. But a few friends rally around her and start a club that explores double standards between men and women. Soon, she sees the tide start to shift, including her own perspective, and that’s what sets this story apart from similar novels. The plot centers no longer on the issue of Brynn—or anyone—against the world; rather, it demonstrates how labeling others based on assumptions is lazy and wrong. For example, Brynn resolves a conflict with members of the abstinence club by letting them know that she doesn’t judge them, which breaks down the defensiveness of some of the members. Gradually, the rest of the student body comes around and starts to think for themselves, too. Penn depicts high-school drama with precision and flair, and the plot ripples with spark and snark. Brynn and her friends are refreshingly realistic, as is the resolution. —Donna Scanlon
Canto Contigo.
By Jonny Garza Villa.
Apr. 2024. 352p. St. Martin’s/Wednesday, $20 (9781250875754); e-book, $11.99 (9781250875761). Gr. 9–12.
In this contemporary romance, Mexican American Rafie is fuming at his parents for making the family relocate to San Antonio. After the passing of his beloved grandfather (the man who introduced him to guitars and mariachi), Rafie is determined to be lead vocalist of his new high school’s mariachi band and secure their win at the Extravaganza Nacional competition. Things take an unexpected turn when Rafie discovers that Rey, an old flame, goes to the same school and is already the band’s lead vocalist. With an overabundance of ego and confidence, Rafie will stop at nothing to take over, even if that means breaking hearts. As both teens musically battle it out to see who is the best, their attraction to each other becomes undeniable. New friends, family, and a talking calavera help guide Rafie to breakthroughs in his domineering habits and grief. In their third teen romance, Garza Villa orchestrates another masterpiece about queer youth redefining traditional customs in Texas. Readers will empathize with the main characters as they bravely navigate recurring prejudices targeting their BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ identities (Rey is trans and receiving hormone therapy). The mention of musicians will leave readers quickly YouTubing songs by Vicente Fernandez, Selena, Bad Bunny, and more. A sweet love story with the positive message that not all change is bad. —Beronica Garcia
Ellie Haycock Is Totally Normal.
By Gretchen Schreiber.
Mar. 2024. 304p. St. Martin’s/Wednesday, $20 (9781250892164); e-book, $11.99 (9781250892171). Gr. 8–12.
Ellie knows there are two types of stories about disabled kids: they get cured or they die. She was born with an incurable medical condition called VACTERL, which has already necessitated more than 40 surgeries, and she has no intention of dying over some new cough that none of her doctors can diagnose. Although her mom’s made all of her medical decisions since she was a baby, chronicling them all on a blog, now Ellie wants a voice in what happens to her body. Set in a hospital and nearby home for families receiving care, Ellie, fellow VACTERL friend Caitlin, and new hospital friends support one another through relationships, the uncertainty of medical unknowns, and the gulf between the doctors who think they know everything and the patients who experience fallout when the doctors are wrong. Schreiber’s debut novel is a realistic portrayal of what it means to be visibly disabled and chronically ill, how it feels to have medical decisions made without your involvement, and the absurdity that forces some families with complex medical issues to separate on paper to receive better health care. Schreiber’s writing comes from personal experience with VACTERL, and while serious medical illnesses could be treated as grim, Schreiber infuses the pain and conflict with hope, friendship, and a romantic interest—someone who can see the real Ellie. —Kathleen Breitenbach
Four Letter Word.
By Gretchen McNeil.
Mar. 2024. 320p. Disney/Hyperion, $18.99 (9781368097437). Gr. 9–12.
Rising senior Izzy is too busy planning to live her mother’s dream life—studying art history in Italy—to think about what she wants. Hosting an Italian foreign exchange student for the summer is key to their plan, and, at first, Izzy finds charismatic and attractive Alberto easy to like. However, his odd behavior eventually disconcerts instead of charms: his Italian accent is exaggerated, his English too good, and his flirting turns Izzy’s best friend and mother against her. Then comes the first murder: her brother’s girlfriend. Readers will glean that Alberto isn’t what he claims, particularly as true-crime buff Izzy frequently references the at-large Casanova Killer, but tension lies in when and how this is
