Kara McDowell's debut novel Just for Clicks is one of the best new YA books! The narrative accurately captures the experience of high school teenagers in the Arizona Valley of the Sun in 2019, specifically featuring Internet-famous twin characters Claire and Poppy Dixon and their blogging mother Ashley. Claire, the narrator, provides an honest and real look into a high-schooler trying to find her own identity amidst a life of likes and texts. The book is already enchanting as it follows Claire trying to be her true self without betraying the Dixon brand. Then, Claire finds a secret in Ashley's diary and her narrative becomes even more heart-wrenching. From familial love to romantic relationships to self esteem, Just for Clicks reveals that under the surface of this teen Internet star's life is the depth of real emotions and the courage of personal discovery. Beyond suggesting that no online profile, no matter how perfect, provides an accurate picture into reality, Claire's journey explores the choices that each young adult has to make in today's society -when to make eye contact, when to press delete, and when to say no. Just for Clicks was a pleasure to read for an Arizona twin, but it will be a sure favorite with YA readers anywhere.

The Red Queen is an explosive start to a now-famous YA series that satisfies readers who enjoy court intrigue, unsteady relationships, and supernatural violence. From the first sentence, "I hate First Friday," Victoria Aveyard instantly draws the reader into Mare Barrow's world of Red servants and Silver nobles. In a dizzying sequence of action and betrayals, Mare's life continually swings between weakness and strength, servitude and power, Red and Silver. Forced to hide behind a mask while discovering who she is, Mare fights desperately for the safety of those she loves while discovering where her true loyalties lie. Does she stand with the monarchy that has protected her because of the exposure of her powers or does she align herself with the Red rebels of the Scarlet Guard? Does her heart belong to Maven, the Prince to whom she's engaged; to Cal, the Prince who noticed her first -or to someone else entirely? Her first night in her new life, she reflects on the swap, and wonders "How much more will change? What else will I lose?" (104). These questions continually swirl around Mare as she makes decisive choices that allow her to stay true to herself in spite of the constant betrayals and lie. Even with the twist at the end, she retains her characteristic courage and grit. A powerful protagonist, a glitteringly gory setting, and the swiftly changing loyalties and truths in the narrative make this book hard to read without immediately picking up the next of the series.