Tag Archives: Coming of Age

MG – The Moon Without Stars

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Miller, Chanel. The Moon Without Stars. Philomel, 2026. 978-0-593-62455-5. 244 p. $17.99. Grades 6 and up.

Luna is in seventh grade and has the self-awareness to know who she is. She’s a quiet and observant girl who enjoys writing zines with her best friend, Scott. When one of Luna’s zines takes off, she is suddenly swept up with the popular crowd and is confronted with sacrificing parts of herself to continue fitting in. How much of her character is Luna willing to compromise to be a part of the “in” crowd?

THOUGHTS: Miller’s writing is so eloquent and filled with quippy humor, she has the ability to pull the reader’s full attention from the very first page. This book was very reminiscent of Judy Blume’s Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, yet it has been given a contemporary glow-up with themes that today’s middle schoolers will easily identify with and hold close. 

Realistic Fiction

YA – Sunlight Playing over a Mountain

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Li Bi, Selina. Sunlight Playing over a Mountain. Soho Teen, 2025. 978-1-642-96489. 320 p. $29.99. Grades 8+.

Sunlight Playing over a Mountain by Selina Li Bi is a lyrical and emotionally resonant novel that explores identity, mental illness, and the meaning of family. Jasmine’s relationship with her mother is fragile and unstable, shaped by secrecy surrounding her father, her mother’s belief that Jasmine comes from the Chinese creation god Pangu, and ongoing struggles with mental health that eventually bring Child Protective Services into their lives. When Jasmine enters foster care, she is forced to confront the reality of her situation and begin defining herself beyond the stories she has been told. Blending realistic fiction with rich references to Chinese mythology, Li Bi’s poetic language creates a striking contrast between beauty and loss as Jasmine searches for belonging and inner strength. 

THOUGHTS: This haunting, thoughtful novel will appeal to readers who enjoy emotionally driven realistic fiction, particularly fans of All the Bright Places and The Fault in Our Stars, and is a strong addition to secondary libraries where character-centered stories are popular.

YA – Angelica and the Bear Prince

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Nguyen, Trung Le. Angelica and the Bear Prince. RH Graphic, 2025. 978-1-984-89267-6. $24.99. 211 p. Grades 7-12.

This lovely graphic novel is loosely inspired by the Norwegian folktale “East of the Sun and West of the Moon” and features Vietnamese American high school junior Angelica “Jelly” Hoang. Jelly has had a particularly tough year – her overachieving personality has led her to feel completely burnt out which caused her to drop all of her extracurricular activities. Accompanied by the grief associated with the loss of her grandmother, she takes a break to focus on feeling like herself again. When she earns a summer internship at the local Log House Theater, she gradually starts to come out of her fog. An integral part of her childhood, the theater and its plays have played an important role in Jelly’s life. During her tough year Jelly started messaging the unknown host of a fan account for Per the Bear Prince from the theater and the two develop a close, supportive relationship. Part of the reason why she wanted the internship was to figure out the identity of the mysterious bear. Subplots include Jelly and her struggling with their relationship, Jelly’s best friend Christine coming to terms with a relationship of her own, and the theater owner grieving the loss of her husband.  

THOUGHTS: This graphic novel packs a lot into the storylines, but it is still a light and enjoyable read. The illustrations feature a soft color palette, and the messages regarding mental health and grief are positive and relevant to teens. The cast of characters is extremely diverse – Jelly is Vietnamese American, the character who ends up being Per the Bear is a trans boy (although it is not outwardly stated or addressed in the book), and the characters reflect a variety of races and body types.

Graphic Novel
Romance

YA – Sisters in the Wind

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Boulley, Angeline. Sisters in the Wind.  Macmillan, 2025. 978-1-250-32853-3. 368 p. $19.99. Grades 9-12.

With her third book, Angeline Boulley establishes herself as an author who writes page-turning thrillers with fully-developed characters who provide eye-opening information on subjects significant to the Native American community. A companion piece to Boulley’s other books, this work is set in Michigan in the years between The Firekeeper’s Daughter and Warrior Girl Unearthed. The plot flips between the past and the present as the main character, Lucy Dolce Smith, mends from injuries from a targeted explosion and recalls her life first, with a devoted single father and then with a series of foster homes. Though Lucy’s father kept her Native American heritage from her and said nothing of her biological mother, a Potawanomi attorney and former FBI agent, John (Jamie) Jameson comes to her rescue. Daunis, a good friend of Lucy’s dead aunt, joins Jamie in protecting Lucy as she recuperates. The story builds as Lucy becomes aware that her life is threatened by an unknown person while Jamie and Daunis work to clear her culpability for the explosion. As time progresses, Lucy grows close to the two young Native American adults. She helps Jamie in his organization Raven Way to research the impact of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), and the readers learn about the injustices foisted upon Native American families and their children. She also has time to reflect on her past, dealing with her father’s illness and losing him at a young age, and the good and bad experiences she had at different foster placements. A coming of age story in each detail, Sisters in the Wind, explores Lucy’s ambivalence in meeting her birthmother and deciding what her next move should be. The reader follows her maturity in the various foster homes, in particular, her pregnancy at Hoppy Farm. Past and present meet in dramatic turns as secrets become revealed and pieces of the puzzle fit together. Boulley’s newest book is a compelling read.

THOUGHTS: Though the ideal grades are 9 to 12, my 7th and 8th grade mature readers are devouring this book. Boulley intends to dispense information on ICWA and expose the wrongdoings of Native American boarding schools, which can get a bit polemic but underscores a central idea of the book. A few paragraphs describe a sexual encounter delicately. Lucy is straight forward describing the bodily changes pregnancy and birth bring. Teen pregnancy is part of the story, inferring sexual intercourse. A son in foster family deals drugs and molests his younger sister and attempts to molest Lucy, but she puts him off and tells on him. In one foster home, some of the teens smoke weed and drink. All these elements do not deter from an authentic, suspenseful yet heart-wrenching story. Loved it!

Realistic Fiction

YA – This Thing of Ours

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Joseph, Frederick. This Thing of Ours. Candlewick. 2025. 978-1-536-23346-9. 384 p. $18.99. Grades 9-12. 

Ossie Brown’s identity has always been about basketball. It gives him a sense of purpose, particularly as one of the only students of color at an elite private high school. It also connects him to his family whether it’s his deceased father or his grandmother who never misses a game. When he suffers a career ending injury, he is forced to consider what other talents he possesses. That leads him to a writing program where he is just beginning to find his voice when a group of students gets the course shut down, claiming it is too “woke.” Ossie and other members of the school community find themselves in a battle for the character of their school, and a familiar fight about whose voices are valued and whose are silenced. 

THOUGHTS: This book begins with a basketball game, and Joseph’s writing from the first page is completely engaging, even for a non-sports fan. As the story moves deeper into the fallout from Ossie’s injury, and the intolerance he and his friends confront, the writing veers ever so slightly toward the didactic, but will still be a great read for many students. I can easily see this on a Reading Olympics list. Overall, this is a really compelling coming of age story with a very diverse collection of main characters. We see our own students in many of these kids, and that makes cheering them on all the more satisfying.

Realistic Fiction

MG – The Family I’m In

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Flake, Sharon G. The Family I’m In. Scholastic, 2025. 978-1-338-57320-6. 276 p. $18.99. Grades 7-9. 

John McIntyre is a short, African American teen with bumps on his chin and a precarious relationship with his macho dad. Despite his annoyance with his father for pressuring him to get a girlfriend, John wants one. His best friend Caleb has broken up with his girlfriend, the lovely and confident Maleeka. Caleb has many distractions. Caleb’s father, Mr. Porter, has had massive strokes and is now disabled. With the Porter family’s financial situation in jeopardy, Caleb contemplates not returning to school and working full-time to support his family. This impressionable summer before senior year has many ups and downs for John, who sheds his nickname, JJ, for just John. He excels at archery, not the typical sport his father would prefer, though he purchased John’s equipment for him. His father has a new wife and a new son, with another child on the way. Successful and generous, Mr. McIntyre is a hard act to follow, and John vacillates between admiring his father and being frustrated with his efforts to pigeon-hole John’s personality and future. He remains in this teetering position with Caleb also. Ever the caring son, Caleb not only is his family’s breadwinner, but he provides physical care for his dad. When he is not working his summer job in the bookmobile, John hangs out at Caleb’s house, though Caleb’s distant behavior makes for some volatile conflicts between the two. In The Family I’m In, author Sharon G. Flake makes John the focus of this coming of age drama and his struggles with relationships, his desire to know who he wants to be, and what place he holds as his father’s son and as a member of a blended family. Sharon G. Flake adds this title to her other books, The Skin I’m In and The Life I’m In. As young readers observe, John negotiates the teen romance world and the responsible adult world, and they will find Draper’s down-to-earth prose and dialogue relatable, cisgender boys in particular.  

THOUGHTS: The Family I’m In depicts an urban neighborhood, a bit down on the heels, but with close families. Closeness is key in this book: John is close to his mother; to his best friend; to his friend’s ailing father. He wants to be close with his father, and his father wants to be close to his son; but they keep miscommunicating. John wants to feel a part of his father’s new family, but he feels shut out. Most of all, he wants to be accepted by a girl. Awkward and unconfident, to be accepted would give John validation and boost his self esteem. The plot in this story is like watching people live. I found it a satisfying read, one many of my students will appreciate. 

Realistic Fiction   

YA – A Bite of Pepper

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Lorinczi, Balazs. A Bite of Pepper. Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2025. 978-1-665-97047-1. $23.99. 219 p. Grades 9-12.

Pepper Mint is a teenage vampire who has not yet fully turned into an adult, immortal vampire, although her mom (Spear Mint) has definitely been pressuring her to find someone to be her bride. When Pepper escapes yet another vampire ball and ends up meeting Ana, a waitress and art student, she introduces her to the vampire life as well as her love of skateboarding. Ana draws Pepper as she’s skateboarding and when Pepper’s half brother, Jeb, sees the talented drawings he convinces both of them to join him in creating a vampire-themed skateboarding brand. Spear also encourages the brand as well as Pepper’s friendship with Ana, and the three work to create something that shows a positive representation of vampires. Pepper starts to feel overwhelmed as the business expands and she is expected to perform more difficult tricks, and she starts to resent Jeb’s intentions and his intrusion into her relationship with Ana. She has to figure out exactly who she wants to be and how her family and friends play a role in that. This book features a unique color palette of black ink drawings with pale pink and purple highlights. 

THOUGHTS: This graphic novel is a fun coming of age story that features diverse characters and an appealing paranormal plotline. Although part of the plot involves vampire-related issues, the majority of Pepper’s stressors are highly relatable to “regular” teens and involve things like self identity, self confidence, and first love.

Graphic Novel
Fantasy

MG – Racing the Clouds

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Dunlap, Sydney. Racing the Clouds. North Star Editions, 2025. 978-1-631-63916-6. 256 p. $16.69. Grades 5-8. 

In Racing the Clouds by Sydney Dunlap, thirteen-year-old Sage Prescott embarks on a summer trip to Ohio to visit her maternal grandparents—whom she’s never met—after living with her father in a Virginia trailer park following her mother’s mysterious disappearance. Hoping to uncover the truth about her mother’s past, Sage finds herself navigating a world of guarded family secrets, emotional memories, and new relationships. Her grandmother is distant, her grandfather quietly supportive, and her mother’s absence looms large in every interaction. Along the way, Sage befriends a fellow traveler named Marla, bonds with a stray dog she secretly shelters, and slowly pieces together the painful reality of her mother’s struggle with addiction. Through ping-pong matches, music festivals, and quiet moments of reflection, Sage begins to understand the complexities of love, loss, and healing, ultimately discovering that family can be redefined through resilience and connection.

THOUGHTS: Dunlap handles difficult themes with sensitivity and realism, crafting a story that is both emotionally resonant and accessible for young readers. Sage’s journey is compelling and relatable, with her inner conflicts and gradual growth portrayed authentically. The inclusion of a rescue dog adds warmth and hope, while the friendships Sage forms help her confront truths she’s long avoided. The novel’s back matter, including a Q&A and resources on addiction, enhances its educational value without detracting from the narrative. Overall, Racing the Clouds is a heartfelt exploration of family, identity, and the courage it takes to face the past.

Realistic Fiction

YA – I Am the Cage

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Grant, Allison Sweet. I Am the Cage. Dutton Books for Young Readers, 2025. 978-0-593-61691-8. 304 p. Grades 9-12. 

I Am the Cage is a deeply emotional novel that follows Elisabeth, a young woman grappling with the lingering trauma of her childhood medical experiences. Told in dual timelines—her present-day life in isolation in the small town of Fish Creek, Wisconsin and her painful past as an 11-year-old undergoing excruciating surgeries for fibular hemimelia—the story explores her journey of healing and self-discovery. Elisabeth’s attempt to live alone and prove her independence is disrupted by a snowstorm, forcing her to accept help from Noah, the compassionate town sheriff. Through this connection and the support of other kind-hearted townspeople like Mr. Ito and Jonathan, Elisabeth begins to confront her grief, anger, and the emotional scars left by her mother’s shortcomings and the medical system. The novel is interwoven with poignant poetry that intensifies its raw, heartfelt narrative, making Elisabeth’s pain and growth feel deeply personal and resonant.

THOUGHTS: I Am the Cage is a powerful and haunting exploration of trauma, resilience, and the slow, painful path to healing. Allison Sweet Grant’s lyrical prose and evocative poetry bring Elisabeth’s internal struggles to life, making it impossible to remain untouched by her story. The book’s emotional depth and realistic portrayal of medical trauma and personal growth make it a compelling read for anyone who has faced adversity or supported a loved one through it. Highly recommended for readers seeking a story that is both heartbreaking and hopeful.

Realistic Fiction

Elem./MG – Kickturn

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Spangler, Brie. Kickturn. Alfred A. Knopf, 2025. 978-0-593-70781-4. 272 p. $17.99. Grades 3-6.

Ten-year-old Lindy lives on a converted bus, traveling throughout California with her influencer parents. For her parents, nothing is more important than curating flawless posts that will boost their online following and secure sponsorships. When the bus breaks down in San Jose and the family is forced to stay in an Air BnB, Lindy is thrilled. For once, she has a bedroom and a spacious bathroom to call her own. One day, Lindy walks to a gas station to grab some snacks, and she meets May and Dasha, two girls on skateboards who seem impossibly cool. Lindy is so curious about skateboarding; her favorite Youtuber, Kentucky Jones, does all kinds of skate tricks, and she wants to learn. Dasha generously gives Lindy her skateboard and tells her to meet them at the skatepark the next day. After a few weeks, Lindy has become a bonafide skater and has a group of friends, something she never had before. She is even more thrilled to discover that Kentucky Jones is coming to San Jose for a skate exhibit! But when Lindy learns that the bus is finally fixed and the family can get back on the road, she takes matters into her own hands. Lindy is determined to put down roots, even if it requires making a questionable choice.

THOUGHTS: With lined notebook pages and playful black and white hand-drawn sketches, the book is designed to look like Lindy’s personal journal. It’s an inviting choice for reluctant readers in upper elementary and middle school. Readers will relate to Lindy struggles with family, friendship, and the pressures of growing up on social media. Skateboard enthusiasts and fans of Dork Diaries or Victoria Jamieson’s Roller Girl will enjoy this book.

Realistic Fiction