"Shy takes the summer job to make some money. A few months on a luxury cruise liner—how bad can it be? Bikinis, free food, maybe even a girl or two…every cruise has a fresh crop of passengers, after all. He’ll rake in the tips and be able to help his mom and sister out with the bills.But then, an earthquake more massive than any ever recorded hits California and Shy’s life is changed forever.The earthquake is only the beginning. Twenty-four hours and a catastrophic chain of events later, Shy is lost at sea, fighting to survive—and stuck with her.She’s blond and she’s rich, and never in her life would she have dreamed she’d be adrift in the Pacific Ocean, surrounded by death and completely dependent on a guy like Shy.And Shy hasn’t even faced the worst yet.“[The Living] is special because of its extraordinary protagonist, Shy, who I haven’t been able to shake from my mind in the weeks since I read the book.” —John Green, author of The Fault in Our Stars“An addictive page-turner and character-driven literary novel with broad appeal for fans of both.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review“An excellent, enthralling ride…a great read for those looking for adventure and survival stories.” —VOYA, starred reviewA Pura Belpré Author Honor Award WinnerAn ALSC 2014 Notable Children’s Book Pick"
"Newbery Medal-winning author Matt de la Peña’s I Will Save You is a 'heartwarming, root-for-the-underdog novel.' [SLJ]
Kidd is running from his past and his future. No mom, no dad, and there’s nothing for him at the group home but therapy. He doesn’t belong at the beach where he works either, unless he finds a reason to stay.
Olivia is blond hair, blue eyes, rich dad. The prettiest girl in Cardiff. She’s hiding something from Kidd—but could they ever be together anyway?
Devon is mean, mysterious, and driven by a death wish. A best friend and worst enemy. He followed Kidd all the way to the beach and he’s not leaving until he teaches him a few lessons about life. And Olivia.
'A taut psychological novel...[with] intriguing, well-developed characters...[that] will stay with readers.'-Booklist
'De la Peña skillfully captures the slippery sides of a schizophrenic personality in this heartwarming, root-for-the-underdog novel.'-SLJ
An Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award Finalist
ALA-YALSA Best Book for Young Readers
An ALA-YALSA Quick Pick
A Junior Library Guild Selection"
"“[A] first-rate exploration of self-identity.” —School Library JournalDanny’s tall and skinny. Even though he’s not built, his arms are long enough to give his pitch a power so fierce any college scout would sign him on the spot. Ninety-five-mile-an-hour fastball, but the boy’s not even on a team. Every time he gets up on the mound, he loses it. Ball ends up so far out of the strike zone it’s laughable.But at his private school, they don’t expect much else from him. Danny’s brown. Half-Mexican brown. And growing up in San Diego, that close to the border, means everyone knows exactly who he is before he even opens his mouth. Before they find out he can’t speak Spanish, and before they realize his mom has blond hair and blue eyes, they’ve got him pegged. But it works the other way too. And Danny’s convinced it’s his whiteness that sent his father back to Mexico.That’s why he’s spending the summer with his dad’s family. Only, to find himself, he may just have to face the demons he refuses to see—the demons that are right in front of his face. And open up to a friendship he never saw coming.Set in the alleys and on the ball fields of San Diego County, Mexican WhiteBoy is a story of friendship, acceptance, and the struggle to find your identity in a world of definitions."
"Newbery Award-winning author Matt de la Peña's We Were Here is a 'fast, funny, smart, and heartbreaking' novel [Booklist].
When it happened, Miguel was sent to Juvi. The judge gave him a year in a group home—said he had to write in a journal so some counselor could try to figure out how he thinks. The judge had no idea that he actually did Miguel a favor. Ever since it happened, his mom can’t even look at him in the face. Any home besides his would be a better place to live.
But Miguel didn’t bet on meeting Rondell or Mong or on any of what happened after they broke out. He only thought about Mexico and getting to the border to where he could start over. Forget his mom. Forget his brother. Forget himself.
Life usually doesn’ t work out how you think it will, though. And most of the time, running away is the quickest path right back to what you’re running from.
From the streets of Stockton to the beaches of Venice, all the way to the Mexican border, We Were Here follows a journey of self-discovery by a boy who is trying to forgive himself in an unforgiving world.
'Fast, funny, smart, and heartbreaking...The contemporary survival adventure will keep readers hooked.'-Booklist
'This gripping story about underprivileged teens is a rewarding read.'-VOYA
'A furiously paced and gripping novel.'-Publishers Weekly
'A story of friendship that will appeal to teens and will engage the most reluctant readers.'-Kirkus Reviews
An ALA-YALSA Best Book for Young Readers
An ALA-YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers
A Junior Library Guild Selection"
"Benny’s friend Ray come up with his craziest invention idea yet: a machine that grants wishes. But when Benny realizes he has some wishes that need granting, he starts to wonder if it might just work. A short story from Guys Read: Thriller, edited by Jon Scieszka."
