Harper Collins

An absolute must-read for any true crime fan, this horrifying account of a decades-long California crime spree will have you locking your doors and windows at night. The compassion and bulldog advocacy McNamara brought to the story is truly a new standard for the genre, and the killer was recently apprehended in Sacramento due to her efforts.

Bolin examines iterations of the "dead girl" trope - from the works of Joan Didion and Raymond Chandler to Twin Peaks and Serial. She explores our fascination with the seemingly endless story of violence done to women's bodies. I recommend for readers willing to interrogate their reasons for tuning in to true crime and to reflect on the ethics of how these stories are told and consumed. - Kristi

An enchanting glimpse into the verve and creativity of Pura Belpré, who introduced the first mainstream published Latinx stories to the U.S.. Set in 1920s New York City, this book is suffused with a sense of warm nostalgia; Escobar's hypnotically detailed illustrations are the kind that make you wish you could climb into the page. A beautiful testament to the vitality of storytelling, this homage to Belpré's “story seeds” is sure to capture the imagination. - I.D.

Meet Jordan, an African American boy attending a prestigious New York middle school where he’s torn between two worlds—rich and working class, black and white. On the first page, Jordan says, “This is how I feel every single day of my life, like I’m falling without a parachute,” and illustrates his experiences (via a book within the book) with insight and ironic humor that all young students, especially students of color, will really appreciate. A humorous yet poignant story. - Noreen

These 17 stories, written by contemporary black authors, demonstrate how diverse the teenage black experience can be: a Trinidadian immigrant's guardian angels (her cousins) save her from falling for the wrong guy; a humorous Jason Reynolds story follows four Brooklyn boys walking home after a swim, fantasizing about sandwiches from their neighborhood bodega; a high schooler keeping her application to a historic black college hidden from her father. Both black and non-black readers will benefit from the insights these well-crafted stories provide. - Noreen

Bri wants nothing more than to be a rapper, but finds herself in the spotlight after a violent confrontation with her school’s security guards. In the aftermath, she finds herself and her actions misinterpreted at every turn. But Bri must figure out who she actually is before she can finally get her “come up.” I found this amazing follow-up to The Hate U Give endlessly compelling. - Ivy

In this follow-up to Acevedo’s National Book Award and Printz Medal winning debut, Emoni (like Xiomara in The Poet X) is first-gen American (she’s Afro-Boricua). Emoni is also a teen mom (which Acevedo chooses not to portray as a burden, while also being honest about the challenges it presents) and a gifted chef. Her struggles honing her culinary gift and learning to define life on her own terms make this is a flavorful and compelling read. - Stephanie

Imbued with Dewitt’s oddball sensibility, this strange little book tells the story of an extremely wealthy (but growing poorer by the day) widow and her adult son who both absolutely positively refuse to worry about their increasingly precarious finances. Weird in the extreme, they’re sarcastic, rude, dismissive—and still strangely entertaining. An enjoyable romp. - Rico

Burgundy France is the setting for this tale of fine wine, mystery, and romance. Ann Mah has crafted a dual timeline story that pairs present day Kate with 1940's Helen-Marie. A long lost diary found at the family's ancestral vineyard reveals secrets buried in the past. Compelling characters and descriptive language make this an enjoyable and enlightening read. - Trey

The City of Brass sequel is here! This novel again follows Nahri, Dara, and Ali, and introduces a terrifying new opponent—Nahri's own mother, who is determined to retake the Daevabad throne at any cost. Like its predecessor, this novel features a dynamic cast, captivating plot, rich political intrigue, and immersive worldbuilding. It’s the best kind of sequel. - Stuart