Teen Book Lists

"A gay Mexican American high school junior who dreams of attending the Tisch School of the Arts finds his life drastically upended in this thoroughly openhearted debut. Though Mateo “Matt” Garcia, 16, has undocumented parents, he leads a relatively mundane life in New York City; he attends SAT prep classes to prepare for college applications, takes shifts at the family bodega, and has recently attended his first open call for an off-Broadway play with his white gay best friend, Adam. But when he comes home one day to find both of his parents gone—each facing the threat of deportation from ICE—Mateo must take on added responsibilities and care for his seven-year-old sister Sophie while the future of his family hangs in the balance." (description from Publisher's Weekly)

"After her mom is taken by ICE, seventeen-year-old Rania's hopes and dreams for the future are immediatly put on hold as she figures out how take care of her younger brother and survive in a country that seems to be closing around them." (description from catalog)

"An anthology of short stories, essays, poetry, and comics about the Mexican American experience" (description provided by publisher)

"Set against the backdrop of Tehran and Los Angeles, this sweeping 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, culture--and themselves." (description from catalog)

When the sister who delighted their parents by her faithful embrace of Mexican culture dies in a tragic accident, Julia, who longs to go to college and move into a home of her own, discovers from mutual friends that her sister may not have been as perfect as believed. (description from Novelist)

The unlikely friendship between Syrian American boxer Khadija and Syrian refugee Leene reveals the pressures and expectations of the perfect Syrian daughter and the repercussions of the Syrian Revolution both at home and abroad. Published from Catalog.

"A family extending from Pakistan to California, deals with generations of young love, old regrets, and forgiveness." (description from catalog)

Natasha is a girl who believes in science and facts. Daniel has always been a good son and good student. But when he sees Natasha he forgets all that and believes there is something extraordinary in store for both of them. (description from LBPL catalog)