coming of age

Set against the backdrop of Tehran and Los Angeles, this intergenerational story, examining queer identity at the end of different decades, follows three boys in the same Iranian family as they each gain a new understanding of their history, their culture, and themselves.

Set against the backdrop of Tehran and Los Angeles, this intergenerational story, examining queer identity at the end of different decades, follows three boys in the same Iranian family as they each gain a new understanding of their history, their culture, and themselves.

"Teen mother Emoni Santiago struggles with the challenges of finishing high school and her dream of working as a chef"--OCLC.

"A Guyanese girl must find the balance between her parents' 'old world' expectations and traditions while pursuing her dream of being a great trumpeter"--OCLC.

"When no one in the small town of Merritt, Florida, believes that he was attacked by a monster, fifteen-year-old Virgil Knox fears the monster will return to finish him off, or worse--that he is becoming a monster himself"--OCLC.

Living in harsh poverty during a brutal Idaho winter, Jack searches for the drug money that sent his father to prison in order to keep his brother out of foster care, while Ava, under the control of her merciless father, makes a wrenching choice to help the brothers survive.

"Caleb's world broke the day his brother died of a drug overdose. Now in the throes of grief, Caleb hardly ever sees his friends anymore, and school isn't much better. He's on the verge of failing his songwriting class, never mind that music used to be his greatest passion. . . . But perhaps most concerning of all: A black cat has been following Caleb around...a cat that only he can see. A cat that may just be a ghost. Then Caleb is assigned a songwriting partner in class: Emmett, the nonbinary lead singer of a local punk band. The cat takes a liking to Emmett--and maybe Caleb does, too. As they write together, Caleb begins opening up about his grief, and the two realize they have more in common than expected. Now Caleb will have to decide if he is ready to heal with Emmett's help--or recede in life and become as invisible as the ghostly cat at his heel"--Provided by publisher.

"When college freshman Grace Mendes reluctantly attends her first pillow fight match, she falls in love with the surprisingly gritty sport. Despite her usually shy, introverted, and reserved nature, Grace decides to try out for the Pillow Fight Federation (PFF), a locally famous league of fighters with larger-than-life personas. . . They may battle with pillows, but there is nothing soft about these fighters. . . . Grace struggles with deep-seated body image issues, so she is especially shocked when she makes the competitive league. . . . As her first official fight performing as newly crafted alter-ego/ring persona Cinderhella looms on the horizon, the real battle taking place is between Grace and her growing insecurities. What if people laugh or make fun of her? Why did she think she could pillow fight in the first place when she doesn't look like your 'typical' athlete? Turns out, no one is laughing when Cinderhella dominates her first match in the ring. And as her alter-ego rises through the ranks of the PFF, gaining traction and online fame (and online trolls), can Grace use the spotlight to become an icon for not just others, but most importantly, for herself?"--Provided by publisher.

On the longest day of the year, eighteen-year-old Brandy makes life-changing decisions about her future, her family, and a budding romance with one of her best friends.