Identical twins Isabelle and Giselle were born holding hands, and 16 years later, Isabelle dies in a car crash while holding her sister’s hand. Giselle survives, along with her parents, and is forced to face the world without her twin, her own appearance a reminder of what she has lost.

Giselle is in a semi-comatose state in the hospital, trying to piece together the accident’s details while the doctors mistake her for her sister. It isn’t until her mother visits that they realize that Isabelle has died, while Giselle is still living and steadily recovering. They begin to suspect that what was originally considered an accident might not have been, prompting further investigation by the police. 

Narrated by Giselle, who is wise beyond her years, Untwine tells an emotional story full of heartbreak, agony and hope. Written in elegant prose, with each chapter ending in a profound emotional statement, the novel draws readers through the aftermath of unexpected loss. Author Edwidge Danticat not only exposes the delicate bond that twins share but also beautifully weaves in Haitian culture and family traditions throughout the novel. Mystery and emotions run high in this work, taking readers on a realistic ride through the various stages of grief. 

Untwine is recommended for older teens and those dealing with the loss of a loved one.

This article was originally published in the October 2015 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.

BookPage Teen Top Pick, October 2015

Every once in a while a book comes along that inspires readers to rethink everything they thought they knew about how fiction works. Given author A.S. King’s talent for writing boundary-pushing YA lit, it’s no surprise that her latest offering does exactly that.

Gustav is building a red helicopter that the biology-obsessed Stanzi—which isn’t her real name—can only see on Tuesdays. China, a poet, has turned herself inside out. Lansdale’s hair grows every time she tells a lie, which is often. All four teens, hiding their pain behind elaborate defense mechanisms, are desperate to escape a life in which parents tour the sites of school shootings, abusers walk free and daily bomb threats disrupt their classes . . . especially as the time for high-stakes testing looms. And all the while, a strange man who lurks in a bush sells letters (like A, B, C, not the kind with stamps) in return for kisses and other favors.

When Gustav’s helicopter is finished, he and Stanzi fly it to the haunting Place of Arrivals—where, in theory, there are no departures. But one resident has already departed, and another hopes to be next. 

References to cultural icons such as “M*A*S*H,” Amadeus and “Sesame Street” (at least in my interpretation of the letter-selling man) give characters a language to express the inexpressible. Surreal and unsettling but ultimately redemptive, this piece of magical realism—if that indeed is what it is—will speak to fans of Francesca Lia Block and anyone seeking a thoroughly postmodern read.

Jill Ratzan matches readers with books in a small library in southeastern Pennsylvania.

This article was originally published in the October 2015 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.

Once described as “recklessly loyal,” Arden Huntley has always taken pride in putting her loved ones first. However, as junior year wears on, Arden begins to wonder why no one—not her fame-seeking boyfriend, her haphazard best friend nor her absent parents—seems to appreciate her loyalty. Then she discovers a blog written by a boy named Peter, a kindred spirit, and begins to feel as though she’s finally found someone who understands. When she reaches her boiling point, she decides to drive to New York and track the blogger down. In the wild night that ensues, Arden learns that Peter isn’t who he’s made himself out to be, and that, just maybe, Arden isn’t either.

The premise of Leila Sales’ fourth novel is an eyebrow-raiser: A high school girl, fed up with being taken for granted, heads off to New York City to find a blogger she’s developed a crush on. That said, Sales pulls it off. Her prose is sharp and witty, making for a breezy (but still edgy) read in a tone reminiscent of Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen. And while her characters could do with a little more complexity, they're all dynamic and relatable. Most importantly, Arden’s growth throughout the novel sets an important example for teen readers—especially girls—who have grown up believing it’s their duty to please everyone around them. While it’s important to take care of our loved ones, we have to learn to take care of ourselves first.

In an Orwellian society where the government promotes unity through conformity, 15-year-old Kivali Kerwin is at risk for being sent to Blight, a prison-like ghetto. Kivali is genderfluid, and she’s refused to transition to one gender. Unfortunately her government doesn’t allow that, and Kivali is sent to an agricultural camp to train for her adulthood as a young woman. At first, Kivali really enjoys camp. She’s given the endearing nickname "Lizard" and begins a budding romance with a female camper—although same-sex pairings are strictly forbidden. But camp has its downsides, too: Every movement is monitored; social time is mandatory; and the campers are given drugs to make them compliant. Plus, two kids have already disappeared. Then the camp director, Ms. Mischetti, takes a special interest in Kivali, and Kivali suspects Ms. Mischetti’s intentions are not what they seem. Step out of line and Kivali goes to Blight; conform and she loses herself entirely.

Pat Schmatz, award-winning author of Bluefish, has created a nuanced world with newly coined language, such as mealio (mess hall) and privo (bathroom), in which readers will have to rely heavily on context. Lizard Radio is a timely and empowering story about identity that will resonate not just with genderqueer teens but with all readers who don’t see themselves fitting into binary categories. This novel will enrich the ongoing conversation on gender identity, conformity and human sexuality.

Kimberly Giarratano is the author of Grunge Gods and Graveyards, a young adult paranormal mystery.

Madeline hasn’t left her house for 17 years and only comes in daily contact with her mother (who is, coincidentally, also her doctor) and her nurse Carla. Madeline suffers from SCID (Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disease), making her essentially allergic to being outside. As a result, her home is sterile, with a special air filtration system, an air lock at the front door and a decontamination treatment for anyone who needs to visit her. She reads a lot of books and does all of her schooling via Skype. She has made peace with her life as she knows it—until a new family moves in next door.

From her window, Madeline spots Olly, a boy about her age, and he stares back up at her. What starts out as an innocent crush quickly turns into more, as Madeline and Olly communicate through email, instant message and finally, after much cajoling from her nurse, meeting in person. Romance ensues, battles are fought and their love grows stronger.

Nicola Yoon’s debut is unique, starring an interracial couple and featuring hand-drawn illustrations. Readers will root for Madeline as she fights her disease, growing stronger and more confident with Olly’s help. The relationship’s fast pace may lead some readers to question its authenticity, but Yoon expertly handles mature family issues such as trust, love and, most of all, grief. Best suited for older teens, this is a quick summer read for fans of realistic teen fiction centered on romance.

I admit it: In junior high I had the soundtrack from Les Misérables on permanent replay. I saw the musical on Broadway and even read the unabridged book by Victor Hugo, all 1,500 pages of it. So when I heard that adult author Susan Fletcher’s debut YA novel would retell this classic novel from Eponine’s point of view, I jumped at the chance to review it.

Fletcher’s story opens just as Eponine’s closes, on a French street the night of the failed Paris uprising of 1832. It then backtracks to Eponine’s childhood as the oldest daughter of the amoral Thenardier family, who become the guardians of Cosette, a girl Eponine’s age whose mother cannot afford to keep her. At first, Eponine and her sister have lavish clothes and dolls (for which they help their family steal) while Cosette sweeps floors, fetches water and endures the endless taunts of her foster sisters. Fortune changes, and 10 years later Eponine, not Cosette, finds herself begging and dressed in rags. The teenage Eponine is determined to be a good person despite her family’s thieving ways, but amid swirling political unrest, can she expect to find forgiveness for her past crimes—let alone love?

Fans of the book (and the musical) know this story well and will recognize familiar characters like Marius, Inspector Javert, Jean Valjean and even little Gavroche. The magic of Fletcher’s work is in the way she weaves in and out of Hugo’s classic tale, giving a voice to one of literature’s most tragic, voiceless characters.

I had to dig up my old Les Mis tapes (yes, tapes) as I read; I dare any other Les Mis fans not to do the same!

Jill Ratzan teaches research rudiments in central New Jersey. She learned most of what she knows about YA lit from her terrific grad students.

Willowdean Dickson is fat and doesn’t care what anyone thinks about it. But she’s growing up in Clover City, Texas, where the church, high school football and the annual beauty pageant are all equally revered. Will’s mom is a former pageant queen who begins to tune her out as the event draws near. But with two potential boyfriends, a shaky relationship with her BFF and the usual crap from bullies, Will has nowhere to turn for advice.

Author Julie Murphy draws a clear distinction between Will’s confidence, which is largely unshakeable—truly, she’s awesome—and her fears about getting closer to hot boyfriend Bo. She has a lingering sense that people will wonder how she landed him, and so she takes unusual chances, aided by her love of Dolly Parton, her late aunt and several drag queens who know a thing or two about pageantry. As these pressures bring out Will’s worst as a friend and girlfriend, they also show a clear path to her best self.

Dumplin’ is inspiring while never lecturing, sexy but still classy, and may inspire you to roll down the windows and belt out “Jolene” next time you’re on the highway.

This article was originally published in the September 2015 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.

After her parents' divorce, Zoe Webster must move from an “almost good part of Brooklyn” to River Heights, “a small city in the armpit of upstate New York.” She is friendless, unless the annoyingly enticing company of Digby can be counted. Digby’s modus operandi is to pop into Zoe’s life with a vaguely adventurous plan that could as easily end in assault charges.

However, Zoe isn’t displeased to discover that Digby’s partner-in-crime is strikingly handsome Henry Petropoulos, the earnest, well-intentioned quarterback of the school’s football team. But Zoe seems like one of the guys as she, Digby and Henry investigate the disappearance of Marina Miller, a high school girl who vanished from her room in the middle of the night. The mystery thickens when Zoe discovers that a 4-year-old girl, Digby’s younger sister, disappeared in the same way years earlier. Are they connected? And does the strange religious cult that lives in a mansion across the street from Zoe play a role in any of this?

Stephanie Tromly’s debut novel reflects her experience as a screenwriter; the dialogue is by turns funny, poignant and ominous. There are so many emotional undercurrents here: romantic, manipulative, vicious and big-hearted. It’s a gloriously fast-paced mystery with authentic, eccentric characters that should appeal to fans of Ellie Marney’s Every Breath or Jodi Lynn Anderson’s The Vanishing Season. At the book’s conclusion, readers will be begging for more Zoe and Digby.