Melissa Cristina Marquez
Mother of Sharks
A quiet, powerful look at the immigrant experience that avoids clichés and treats its characters with genuine dignity.
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All This Time
by Mikki Daughtry
Young adult · ages 14–18 · 800L · 2020
A genuinely moving grief novel that doesn't rush the messiness—Kira's anger and guilt feel earned, and the slow-build romance doesn't cheapen her loss.
Youve Reached Sam
by Dustin Thao
Young adult · ages 14–18 · 820L · 2021
A grief novel that refuses easy answers—the ambiguity about whether Sam is really on the line is the point, and it forces readers into Julie's disorientation and longing.
Invisible
by Christina Diaz Gonzalez
Young adult · ages 12–16 · 850L · 2022
A lyrical and honest look at the immigrant experience that resonates deeply with teens navigating their own sense of belonging.