Say a Little Prayer

Voris, Jenna. Say a Little Prayer. 2025. 320p. ISBN 9780593692745.

Riley distanced herself from her church after realizing her homosexual identity wasn't accepted within the congregation. However, it was the shunning of her sister for having an abortion that ignited a fierce desire for rebellion. Ironically, a slap administered in defense of her sister lands Riley in the principal's office, leading to a spring break sentence at church camp to avoid a suspension that would prevent her from participating in the school play, something she's been looking for all year. The only silver lining is the presence of her best friend and neighbor, Julia, despite the complication of Julia's father being the pastor and in charge of the camp, and the further complication of Riley being attracted to Julia.

Determined to challenge the church's exclusionary doctrines, Riley abandons any pretense of repentance and instead sets out to commit all seven deadly sins during her time at camp. Her audacious plan is to demonstrate to the other campers that sometimes acting "badly" can serve a greater good, hoping to spark a righteous revolution against the church's judgmental stance. Can Riley manage to convince the church congregation that Julia's father is wrong?

Ariise: Manifest the life you deserve

Marshall, Zoe. Ariise: Manifest the life you deserve. 2025. 239p. ISBN 9781761631344.

Ariise presents itself as a comprehensive guide to unlocking personal potential and manifesting abundance, going beyond typical self-help advice. Drawing on principles from psychology and neuroscience, the book offers actionable strategies for identifying and overcoming limiting beliefs. It aims to empower readers to take purposeful steps that align with their deepest desires, ultimately leading to personal growth, career advancement, and stronger relationships through what the author terms "co-creation."

The book's foundation is built upon the author's own journey of resilience and transformation. Having navigated significant adversity, including the loss of her mother and surviving an abusive relationship, she utilized the very techniques outlined in "Ariise" to build a meaningful and successful life as a wife, mother, and entrepreneur. Her personal story serves as a testament to the efficacy of harnessing the power of the mind for healing, self-empowerment, and the deliberate creation of a fulfilling existence.

Lost Legends of Nothing

Green, Alejandra and Fanny Rodriguez. Lost Legends of Nothing. Book 2 of the Nothing series. 2023. 320p. ISBN 9780062839510. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Following their confrontation with Stryx in the Fantastic Tales of Nothing, Nathan finds himself once again isolated, but this time with the crucial motivation of reuniting with his friends and pressing forward on their vital quest of protecting Haven from Stryx. However, their journey is far from unburdened, as Stryx relentlessly pursues them, threatening the very existence of their world, Nothing. To further complicate matters, a war has erupted between the humans and the Volken, adding another layer of peril to their already challenging circumstances.

Once Nathan is reunited with Haven, Sina, and Bardou, their journey to the city called the Edge continues, fueled by Nathan's intensifying visions of Lerina, the only one who knew how to stop Stryx. The group uncovers clues suggesting that the key to saving Nothing lies within forgotten legends of the past. While unexpected allies emerge to aid their cause, new and dangerous enemies lie in wait, and a particularly potent adversary targets Haven's inner spirit. Amidst the escalating pressure, Nathan and his companions must strive to prevent two realms from tearing Nothing apart, defeat Stryx, and ultimately survive their perilous mission to safeguard all magic and its inhabitants from vanishing forever.

The Trouble with Heroes

Messner, Kate. The Trouble with Heroes. 2025. 368p. ISBN 9781547616398.

Finn Connelly, a struggling seventh-grader, feels overshadowed by the heroic legacy of his late father, a star athlete and firefighter who died two years prior. Finn's life takes an unexpected turn when he's caught on camera vandalizing a cemetery, specifically kicking down the headstone of a legendary local mountain climber. Instead of punishment, the climber's daughter offers Finn an unusual proposition: if he climbs all forty-six Adirondack High Peaks with her deceased mother's dog, his debt will be considered paid.

Over the course of three months, Finn embarks on a journey filled with misadventures, muddy trails, and surprising mentors. As he conquers each peak, the expansive views offer him clarity, slowly helping him understand himself and his father better. However, the mountains hold their own challenges, and with September approaching, Finn faces a final summit that proves to be a formidable test, potentially exceeding even a hero's capabilities.

In the Trouble with Heroes, Finn comes to terms with his father's death, and learns forgiveness and letting go. Fans of redemption stories will love to read about Finn growing up and gaining valuable insights about his own life.

Noise

Raymundo, Kathleen. Noise. 2019. 28p. ISBN 9781793189530. Available at GFX RAY on the library shelves. 

Cathryn is entering 7th grade. She cherishes her solitude and manages to secure an empty seat on the school bus on the first day of school. Unfortunately, a talkative little 4th-grade boy named Tyler is in the seat right before hers, and, after introducing himself, keeps interrupting her for tools like paper, pencil, and scissors. When he asks her for a balloon, Cathryn's temper flares, and she tells him to stop interrupting her.

Based on a true story, Noise explores the unexpected joy found in unlikely connections. Their contrasting personalities set the stage for a unique relationship that unfolds against the backdrop of their daily lives. Short and beautifully illustrated, this story demonstrates how these two characters, despite their initial differences, come to find happiness and fulfillment in each other's company. It's a tale that celebrates the beauty of human connection and the surprising ways in which people can bring light and meaning into each other's lives, even when they least expect it.

Candle Island

Wolk, Lauren. Candle Island. 2025. 352p. ISBN 9780593698549.

Lucretia and her mother seek refuge on the secluded Candle Island, Maine, hoping to find solace from the lingering trauma of her father's death and the relentless attention of the media surrounding her renowned artist mother. The island's rugged beauty and the calming rhythm of the ocean provide a welcome change for Lucretia, who spends her summer immersed in painting, exploring the unfamiliar landscape, and nurturing an orphaned osprey chick. This quiet existence offers a temporary reprieve from their grief and the pressures of their former life.

However, Candle Island holds its own mysteries that soon begin to entangle Lucretia. A concealed room within their new home and an angry girl named Murdoch are the first strange things Lucretia discovers. She then becomes mesmerized by the enigmatic presence of a boy with a captivating voice, which pique sher curiosity and draws her into the island's hidden depths. Much like the powerful tides that shape the coastline, these secrets and new connections inevitably pull Lucretia into their current, challenging her to confront her own emotions and discover the strength of her own voice amidst loss, art, and the complexities of human relationships.

The Thrashers

Soto, Julie. The Thrashers. 2025. 352p. ISBN 9781250377173

The Thrashers are the seemingly perfect and envied elite clique at New Helvetia High, comprising the wealthy and attention-loving Julian, Lucy, Paige, and the notorious Zack Thrasher. Jodi Dillon, Zack's childhood friend, was unexpectedly pulled into their exclusive circle as Zack's popularity increased,.Ten years after being best friends, Jodi is feeling like an outsider amidst their sophistication. However, the group's seemingly untouchable status begins to unravel with the sudden suicide on their Junior prom night of Emily Mills, a girl who desperately desired to be a Thrasher, igniting rumors and suspicion.

As Emily's journal surfaces and detectives begin to investigate, Jodi is torn between her loyalty to her newfound friends and the need to protect herself. The situation takes a sinister turn with the emergence of eerie messages and unsettling events, suggesting that Emily's presence lingers beyond the grave. Jodi and the Thrashers must confront the secrets surrounding Emily's death and the possibility of a supernatural force at play, threatening to expose their carefully constructed world and the darkness beneath.

At the same time, Jodi must rediscover herself and learn the circumstances of her own mother's death when she was two. Meanwhile, her entire world is unravelling fast. A psychological thriller with the possibility of supernatural involvement, The Thrashers will keep the reader on the edge of their seat!