Crossed by Ally Condie



In this sequel to Matched, we find Ky fighting and Cassia farming in different areas of the Outer Provinces.  Ky is just trying to survive while Cassia is biding her time to escape and look for Ky.  Cassia and Ky both make runs for it (both with a new friend in tow) and eventually meet up.  But are Ky's and Cassia's plans the same?  And what is the secret about Xander that only Ky knows?  An excellent follow up to the original story - it keeps you one the edge of your seat just like the first and will make you anxiously await the third installment!  Give to fans of, of course, Matched.  But introduce the series to fans of any dystopian literature.  (It's like a less violent premised Hunger Games.)

Hold Still by Nina LaCour

Caitlin's best and only friend, Ingrid, has just committed suicide. How does Caitlin deal with such a loss? How can she not blame herself for not seeing the signs? How can she read the diary that Ingrid hid in Caitlin's bedroom the night before she died? How does life go on?

Both sad and uplifting, this story gives a personal and realistic view of the struggles of both mental illness and the loss of a friend to suicide. A Gateway Award nominee this book is more for older teens - grade 8 and up. Heavy, but will definitely keep their interest. Give to fans of 13 Reasons Why, Hate List, and/or If I Stay.