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2015 Teen's Top Ten Nominations

May 5, 2015

Each April, YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) releases a list of nominated books. From the list of approximately 25 books (found in the post), teens everywhere choose their favorites. So if you want your favorite on the Teen Top Ten list, check out the nominees and cast your vote!

Let's Get Lost by Adi Alsaid

[[nid:14]]As Leila struggles to come to terms with her new life, she grasps for the only thing she knows is real, the northern lights. One her cross-country trip to see them, she meets four people that not only change her, but change because of her. She helps them in ways they didn't know they needed, and they help her more than she realizes.

Don't Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout

[[nid:754]]Samantha's mind is a blank slate after she disappeared with her best frienemy, Cassie. However, when Cassie's dead body turned up, Samantha's memories are the only clue to what happened that night. Unfortunately, Sam not having any memories may be the only thing keeping her alive.
 
Kyra is a thief. A talented one at that. When the leader of the mysterious Assassin's Guild offers her a job, she isn't sure. Tristam of Brancel is a Palace knight. When his best friend is murdered by the Demon Riders, a clan of fierce warriors who ride on bloodthirsty wildcats, he vows to take them down. Each time, he is thwarted by a talented thief, one who can easily clip past the Palaces defenses. When they are thrown together on a raid, they realize that their best-if only chance at survival is to join together. Loyalties are tested and a surprising secret is learned about Kyra's past - one that threatens to reshape their lives.
 
For the first time ever, Cassandra and Athena have a mutual goal: to kill the remaining gods and goddesses that have taken refuge on Mount Olympus. If they could just figure out how to work together, they might be able to accomplish it.

The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare

[[nid:755]]Magnus Bane, the mysterious High Warlock of New York, has been alive for a long time and has a mysterious past unknown to most of his companions. In this thrilling novel, secrets and stories are revealed, of lovers, of adventures, and of friendships.
 
In a steampunk world, after the British Empire won the Revolutionary War, a young Patriot named Charlotte finds a boy in the woods, running from British war machines. When he claims he cannot remember anything, she and the other rebels with her decide to find his true origin by going to the heart of the Empire: New York.
 
After the death of her older sister, Laurel tries to cope with her feelings of guilt and anger with what starts out as an English assignment: write a letter to dead person. As Laurel adjusts to high school and makes new friends, she continues writing letters to her idols. They become more detailed and thoughtful as she tries to grieve over her sister and works up the courage to finally be able to talk about the secret of her death.
 

Prince Haden, the disgraced son of Ren Hades, King of the Underworld, has been chosen to go to the surface and bring back Daphne Vince, his boon. Daphne's alcoholic rock star father is giving her the chance she has dreamed of to further her music career, but in California, further away from home than she's even been. Their fates are entwined, and they're about to meet for the first time.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

[[nid:756]]Lara Jean has a teal hatbox under her bed filled with all her precious things, old feelings, and memories that should be buried forever. In that box, there are letters Lara has written to all the boys she had ever loved with no intention of ever sending them. One day, the hatbox goes missing, marking the beginning of a series of confrontations she never thought she'd have to face.

Unhinged by A. G. Howard

[[nid:757]]Finally back in the "real world," all Alyssa has left is to ignore her darker side and enjoy the normality of high school and her life with Jeb. But does Wonderland leave her alone? Can the Red Queen let Alyssa get away with what she has done? Everything would be easier if Morpheus didn't show up for school one day to tempt her with another dangerous quest.

The Young Elites by Marie Lu

[[nid:758]]Adelina Amounteru is a survivor of the plague, a Malfetto, a freak to the rest of society. The treatment of abuse over the years has caused a darkness to brew insider her. She believes there is hope for her yet as there is a group of other Malfettos, called the Young Elites. The Young Elites have not only survived the plague, but have developed unexplainable abilities. Is refuge with these people what Adelina always wanted, or are they just going to end up using her like everyone else?

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

[[nid:759]]Celaena, the King's Champion, has faced many challenges throughout her life, but none compare to what she must now face. As the King of Adarlan seeks to destroy all that she cares about, Calaena must learn to control her powers while deciding who should fight back: Celaena the assassin or Aelin the Fae princess.

Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson

[[nid:760]]Emily and Sloane are the bestest friends having an amazing summer, until one day Sloane disappears. Sloane leaves behind a to-do list of 13 tasks Emily would normally never try without Sloane by her side. With the help of Frank Porter, and a few other friends, will Emily finish the list?

The Shadow Throne by Jennifer A. Nielsen

[[nid:761]]War is on the horizon in Carthya, and Jaron needs to protect his country. However, the ruler of Avenia has also captured Jaron's best friend and love, Imogen. Jaron needs to save both his friend and his country, but everything that possibly could go wrong, does go wrong.

My Life with the Walter Boys by Ali Novak 

[[nid:762]]As the perfect girl who had everything scheduled, always looked nice and studied hard, Jackie couldn't predict her parents' accident. She also didn't see her future consisting of moving from New York to Colorado and living with twelve boys. How can she cope with her parents' death, a dramatic change in lifestyle while still being the perfect girl she was?

The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson

[[nid:763]]As Lia tries to run from her bounty hunters, she begins uncovering one of her kingdoms deceptive secrets, hidden by the years passed. Meanwhile, she begins falling in love with two men who are not who they seem to be...

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

[[nid:764]]Kestrel is a noble of the vast empire of Valoria. She only has two choices for her future: to become a military officer or get married. What she really wants is to be a musician. Her choice for her future becomes more complicated when she buys a slave named Arin who is in on a plot to free his people from enslavement.

Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott

[[nid:765]]Tella Holloway thought her life was bad. When she gets an invitation to save her brother Cody's life, she learns what bad really is. Tella fights for not only Cody, but herself, her Pandora, and her growing love of a contender. It's a fight for life, but will Tella die trying?
Ren Sharpe was abducted at fourteen, chosen by the mysterious F.A.T.E. Center to become a Shadow: an unstoppable guardian of a future leader/world changer. After four years of training, she is assigned to protect Gareth Young, one of these future beings, an easy assignment, until a team of trained and armed professionals attempt to abduct him in broad daylight. With nowhere else to turn, Ren breaks F.A.T.E. rules and tracks down the only person she can trust; a fellow Shadow name Junie Miller, and decides that her kidnappers may be able to see the future, but they are unprepared for the killing machines they've created.

Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith

[[nid:766]]Grasshopper Jungle is a coming of age story revolving around three teenagers, told in layers, exploring the pitfalls and wisdom of history, complex issues of friendship and sexual confusion, and, of course, the story of how six-foot-tall man-eating praying mantises from Iowa, brought on the end of the world.

The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith

[[nid:767]]Lucy and Owen get stuck in an elevator in a New York City blackout. When they finally get out of the elevator, they spend the night looking at the stars. Soon after the blackout, Lucy moves away to Scotland while Owen heads out west. With that night in-grained into their minds, they try to stay in touch with each other while trying to figure out what that night truly meant for both of them.
Monroe and Nathan are alike in so many ways. Their "one mistake" has hurt both of them and the ones they love. Can Monroe accept herself and help Nathan to do the same?

We Should Hang Out Sometime by Josh Sundquist

[[nid:768]]Josh is a boy who's good with math, but not with girls. He has the best pickup line - We should hang out sometime - but he never really gets a relationship out of it. Now, after many girlfriendless years, he tries to figure out why.
As if being one of the first black students to attend Jefferson High School wasn't enough, Sarah Dunbar has to worry about keeping secret. Linda Hairston is the daughter of one of Davidburg's most vocal opponents to integration in schools. She too has a precious secret. When these two very different girls are forced to work together on a school project, both are forced to confront the harsh truths about race, power and love.
 
For more information about how the Teen Top Ten Nominees are selected, and how to vote for your favorites, check out Reads4Teens.