Cambridge High School Library 2024

By: Gloria Chao Location: FIC CHA Genre: Romance- Fictio n What a lovely, lovely surprise.   American Panda  is ownvoices contemporary fic about a Taiwanese-American girl struggling with her strict parents and with trying to carve her own path. And holy crap. It’s awesome.- Elise, Goodreads “Weepingly funny.” — The Wall Street Journal “Delightful.” — BuzzFeed “Charmed my socks off.” —David Arnold,  New York Times  bestselling author of  Kids of Appetite  and  Mosquitoland Four starred reviews for this incisive, laugh-out-loud contemporary debut about a Taiwanese-American teen whose parents want her to be a doctor and marry a Taiwanese Ivy Leaguer despite her squeamishness with germs and crush on a Japanese classmate. At seventeen, Mei should be in high school, but skipping fourth grade was part of her parents’ master plan. Now a freshman at MIT, she is on track to fulfill the rest of this predetermined future: become a doctor, marry a preappro...

By: Rory Power Location: FIC POW Genre: Feminist Horror and LGBGT   A modern day, female Lord of the Flies - count me in!  I am no fan of horror so I stock this and get it ready for those of you are brave enough! It's been eighteen months since the Raxter School for Girls was put under quarantine. Since the Tox hit and pulled Hetty's life out from under her. It started slow. First the teachers died one by one. Then it began to infect the students, turning their bodies strange and foreign. Now, cut off from the rest of the world and left to fend for themselves on their island home, the girls don't dare wander outside the school's fence, where the Tox has made the woods wild and dangerous. They wait for the cure they were promised as the Tox seeps into everything. But when Byatt goes missing, Hetty will do anything to find her, even if it means breaking quarantine and braving the horrors that lie beyond the fence. And when she does, Hetty learns that there's ...

By: Ling Ma Location: FIC MA Genre: SciFi - Dystopia  "A quirky, cynical, yet important read that has made me think a lot about what matters most in my life"- Thomas "I loved this book. It’s sharp and wry and contemporary -" Jessica This book must be good, it has won a few awards. And has anyone noticed pink covres are now a thing!!! Locus Award Nominee for First Novel (2019) ,  Kirkus Prize for Fiction (2018) ,  Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Science Fiction (2018) ,  Aspen Words Literary Prize Nominee for Longlist (2019) ,  Neukom Literary Arts Award Nominee for Debut Speculative Fiction (2019 ) “To live in a city is to live the life that it was built for, to adapt to its schedule and rhythms, to move within the transit layout made for you during the morning and evening rush, winding through the crowds of fellow commuters. To live in a city is to consume its offerings. To eat at its restaurants. To drink at its bars. To shop at its stores. To ...

By: Jenifer L. Armentrout Location: FIC ARM Genre:   Fantasy, Paranorma, Romance Series: The Harbinger #1 WHAT SECREETS HIDE BENEATH THE SKIN? Gargoyle Protectors Rising Demons and One Girl with an explosive secret. Eighteen-year-old Trinity Marrow may be going blind, but she can see and communicate with ghosts and spirits. Her unique gift is part of a secret so dangerous that she’s been in hiding for years in an isolated compound fiercely guarded by Wardens—gargoyle shape-shifters who protect humankind from demons. If the demons discover the truth about Trinity, they’ll devour her, flesh and bone, to enhance their own powers. When Wardens from another clan arrive with disturbing reports that something out there is killing both demons and Wardens, Trinity’s safe world implodes. Not the least because one of the outsiders is the most annoying and fascinating person she’s ever met. Zayne has secrets of his own that will upend her world yet again—but working together becomes...

By: Will Eisner Location: GRA EIS Genre: Graphic Novel Through a quartet of four interwoven stories,  A Contract With God express the joy, exuberance, tragedy, and drama of life on the mythical Dropsie Avenue in the Bronx. This is the legendary book that launched a new art form and reaffirmed Will Eisner as one of the great pioneers of American graphics. Julia:  This is not a book to aid in the Christian perspective. If anything, it's existential and nihilistic. It is a book that looks at disillusionment, frustration, loneliness, sex and violence in a mixed culture sharing a community of poverty. It's powerful, gritty and real. But don't look to it for faith or spiritual inspiration. "This book is based on the memories that Will Eisner has about his own and his contemporaries’ experiences while growing up in New York. The book presents a selection of four stories, which are interconnected and based on a fictional tenement situated in  55 Dropsie Avenue , the Br...

By: Diane Setterfield Location: FIC SET Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Gothic  I love this cover:) “There is something about words. In expert hands, manipulated deftly, they take you prisoner. Wind themselves around your limbs like spider silk, and when you are so enthralled you cannot move, they pierce your skin, enter your blood, numb your thoughts. Inside you they work their magic.” Sometimes, when you open the door to the past, what you confront is your destiny. Reclusive author Vida Winter, famous for her collection of twelve enchanting stories, has spent the past six decades penning a series of alternate lives for herself. Now old and ailing, she is ready to reveal the truth about her extraordinary existence and the violent and tragic past she has kept secret for so long. Calling on Margaret Lea, a young biographer troubled by her own painful history, Vida disinters the life she meant to bury for good. Margaret is mesmerized by the author’s tale of gothic strange...

By: Charlotte Seager Location: FIC SEA Genre: Youth Fiction- Social Media What if your favourite YouTuber’s life was a lie? What if you were the one to expose it? YouTuber LilyLoves has an amazing life: a rockstar boyfriend, a totally Insta-worthy London flat and a collection of beauty products that seems to grow daily (thanks, PO Box). Sixteen-year-old Melissa’s life is way less amazing – LilyLoves is the only thing getting her through it. She’s Lily’s biggest fan and spends hours each night watching her videos and liking her posts. Melissa wants that life for herself – or at least to look like she has it . . . As Melissa starts to grow in confidence – and followers - she discovers a crushing secret about Lily – the ultimate YouTube lie. Does she share Lily’s secret and crush her fame? Or will they both continue to live a lie – both online and off? My [Secret] YouTube Life is the addictive debut novel from Charlotte Seager. Jules read this and reckons t he most important  ...

By: Tanaz Bhathena Location: FIC BHA Genre: Contemporary Ficture, Culture A timeless exploration of high-stakes romance, self-discovery, and the lengths we go to love and be loved.  “Fascinating and disturbing.” —Jodi Picoult, Sixteen-year-old Zarin Wadia is many things: a bright and vivacious student, an orphan, a risk taker. She’s also the kind of girl that parents warn their kids to stay away from: a troublemaker whose many romances are the subject of endless gossip at school.  You don't want to get involved with a girl like that,  they say. So how is it that eighteen-year-old Porus Dumasia has only ever had eyes for her? And how did Zarin and Porus end up dead in a car together, crashed on the side of a highway in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia? When the religious police arrive on the scene, everything everyone thought they knew about Zarin is questioned. And as her story is pieced together, told through multiple perspectives, it becomes clear that she was far more than jus...

By: Jesse Ball Location:FIC BAL Genre: Literay Fiction, Dystopia "A very moving and inventive novel about love and loss, the bonds of family, human capacity for both good and evil, and fathers and sons." Matthew  Jesse Ball tells us in the introduction:  “It occurred to me last month that I would like to write a book about my brother. I felt, and feel that people with Down syndrome are not really understood. What is in my heart when I consider him and his life is something so tremendous, so full of light, that I thought I must write a book that helps people see what it is like to know and to love a Down syndrome boy or girl. It is not like what you would expect, and it is not like it is ordinarily portrayed and explained. It is something else, different than that.” When a widower receives notice from a doctor that he doesn’t have long left to live, he is struck by the question of who will care for his adult son—a son whom he fiercely loves, a boy with Down syndrome....

By: Kasie West Location: FIC WES Genre: Romance  “I wondered if life was about facing fears. Sometimes we overcame them and sometimes they overcame us. On the days we won, we had every right to celebrate.” Kasie West's adorable story of secrets, love, and friendship is sure to win over hearts everywhere. Talking to other people isn't Kate Bailey's favorite activity. She'd much rather be out on the lake, soaking up the solitude and sunshine. So when her best friend, Alana, convinces Kate to join their high school's podcast, Kate is not expecting to be chosen as the host. Now she'll have to answer calls and give advice on the air? Impossible. But to Kate's surprise, she turns out to be pretty good at the hosting gig. Then the podcast gets in a call from an anonymous guy, asking for advice about his unnamed crush. Kate is pretty sure that the caller is gorgeous Diego Martinez, and even surer that the girl in question is Alana. Kate is excited for...

By: William Sutcliffe Location:FIC SUT Genre: Dystopia   " Brilliantly written- thrilling, frightening asnd all too real and relevant. I urge you to read it " Sarah Crossan Lex lives on The Strip – the overcrowded, closed-off, bombed-out shell of London. He’s used to the watchful enemy drones that buzz in the air above him.  Alan’s talent as a gamer has landed him the job of his dreams. At a military base in a secret location, he is about to start work as a drone pilot.  These two young men will never meet, but their lives are destined to collide. Because Alan has just been assigned a high-profile target. Alan knows him only as #K622. But Lex calls him Dad. Bridget  Schurmann reviewed this book on Goodreads and if she likes it- we all like it. This is her review This is a cracking good read. And so topical. There are parallel stories. Firstly Lex who is the son of one of the major movers and shakers in an underground movement in the resistance moveme...

By: Liz Slooten and Steve Dawson Location: NF 599.53  Genre: Dolphins As a kid I spent a lot of time at Goosebay which is near Kaikoura. We did heaps of fishing in our boat - Kotare. That was the first Maori word I learnt. While we were out on the briny fishing for Hapuka , Kaiwhai and  Soldier Fish the dolphins would come and play. It is a memory of childhood delight, so bouncey , happy and smiley. I could watch them all day. I just hope my grandchildren have the opportunity for the same experience. This book will help us understand them more and by understanding comes knowledge and knowledge protects. New Zealand dolphins, also known as Hector’s dolphins, are fascinating and beautiful animals. Found only in New Zealand waters, their numbers are now under constant threat—especially from human fishing activities. This book introduces the dolphin to readers of all ages. The authors have devoted the last 30 years—more than a dolphin lifespan—to intensive study of the dol...

By: Stephen C, Lundin, Harry Paul and John Christensen   Location: NF 658.3 LUN Genre: Self Help, Leadership I'm on a Non Fiction roll today. This book was requested for us to buy from our Acting Principal last year, Mr McDonnell.  When he asks for a book -I get it in. This is an international bestseller with inspirational stories and new resources to transform your life. Imagine a workplace where everyone chooses to bring energy, passion and a positive attitude to the job every day. In this engrossing parable, a fictional manager has the responsibility of turning a chronically unenthusiastic and unhelpful department into an effective team. Seattle's pike place fish is a world famous market that is wildly successful thanks to its fun, bustling, joyful atmosphere and great customer service. By applying ingeniously simple lessons learned from the pike place, our manager discovers how to energise and transform her workplace. Addressing today's most pressing work issu...

By: Jan Marsh  Location: NF 616.85 Genre: Real life stuff  It is good to highlight these books that we get into our library, depression is real and for many of you it impacts your life, it could be a family member, a friend or even yourself. This book gives great tips on how to get your life back and how to help and support others too as well. Dealing with Depression  offers a simple, easy to follow, non-judgmental and, above all, effective exploration of depression and how to manage it. A range of strategies is outlined, including the physiological fundamentals of sleep, healthy diet and exercise as well as ideas from positive psychology that help us to take care of ourselves. Learning to regulate emotions and show compassion to ourselves and others not only reduces the impact of depression but also improves life and relationships, building resilience and decreasing the likelihood of recurring depressive episodes. Part One provides the essential background inform...

By: Alex Scarrow Location: FIC  Genre: Horror Series: ReMade #3   "Scarrow's devastated landscape and the terrifying entity that has taken it over are vividly rendered . . . Adrenaline-laced post-apocalyptic fun" Kirkus This has our country in it!!!! It happened within a week. Survival was just the start of it. It has a plan . . . Leon is stuck in England. Grace is on her way to New Zealand and Freya to the 'New United States' in Cuba. The virus has assimilated all of humanity except for these three communities and now it is prepared to talk with them. How they each choose to respond to the virus, will ultimately decide their fate in  Plague World,  the apocalyptic finale to the Remade trilogy from bestselling author of the TimeRiders series, Alex Scarrow. A superb doomsday thriller for children - this is Stephen King suitably toned down for younger readers - edge of your seat stuff, brilliantly written.   Books Monthly

By: Jane Godwin Location: FIC GOD Genre: Coming of Age  A beautiful coming-of-age story about three teenage girls from very different backgrounds who find themselves sharing a hospital ward, for fans of Kate DiCamillo and Fiona Wood Three teenage girls from very different backgrounds find themselves sharing a hospital ward. When they witness a crime in the park below their window, they bond over trying to solve the crime and each one undergoes a profound change. A beautiful coming-of-age story about identity, expectation, class, justice, society, fairness, and, above all, kindness.   Three teenage girls from very different backgrounds find themselves sharing a hospital ward. When they witness a crime in the park below their window, they bond over trying to solve the crime and each one undergoes a profound change. "This is a book that I wish I'd read growing up. It is a lovely, coming-of-age story of three young girls who find themselves in a hospital room together. Then ...

By: Virginia MacGregor Location: FIC MAC Genre: Romance 'I defy you not to fall in love'  Clare Mackintosh You know the scenes, people in airports awaiting news, any news, of  people that they know in a plane crash. You feel the tension through the media, you sense the fear, you know that they hope but in vain. So what do you do, what do they do....? How do you change what’s already written in the stars?   Christopher is the sort of guy that no one notices, yet when Air catches sight of him making intricate paper birds in the airport, she can’t look away. But their worlds are about to collide in ways they never expected. Someone they love is on Flight 0217 from London Heathrow. And it’s missing. Convinced that her brother was on a different flight, Air drives them hundreds of miles across the country, on a trip that will change their lives forever. But how do you tell the person you’re falling for that you might just be the reason their life has fallen apart? ...

By: Jackie French Location: FIC  Genre: Re-telling (Midsummers Night Dream) Fantasy, Fae 'A wonderful read for anyone whether they are discovering  A Midsummer Night's Dream  for the first time or revisiting the classic tale.'  -  Books+Publishing , four stars Titania rose to her feet. 'What is going on here, Peaseblossom?' she demanded. I bowed to her. 'I apologise, Your Majesty. But I'd rather be known as Pete.' 'Pete?' She frowned. 'That's no name for a fairy.' 'No, it isn't,' I said, meeting her eyes. At court, he's known as Peaseblossom, a servant to the Fairy Queen. But as Pete, he prefers pizza to sugarplums and denim to daffodils. He wants to choose his own life too. But how can he when a fairy's sole duty is to obey the all-powerful Queen Titania? This is Shakespeare's popular and delightful comedy  A Midsummer Night's Dream  with an added army of Amazons, a sea serpent and a selkie called Ga...

BY: Suzy Zail Location: FIC ZAI Genre: Fiction, Feminism , They told her that her body belonged to men and her mind didn’t matter. They were wrong. “What if I don’t want to marry?” Lillian held her breath. She had never said the words out loud. “Not want to marry?” Her aunt frowned. “What else would you do?” Set in a Ugandan village, Lilian has learned to shrink herself to fit other people’s ideas of what a girl is. In her village a girl is not meant to be smarter than her brother. A girl is not meant to go to school or enjoy her body or decide who to marry. Especially if she is poor.   Here is a great review by Laura Altman "Trigger warnings:  rape, domestic violence, female genital mutilation. Lilian, a young girl growing up in rural Uganda, has big dreams. She's hungry to learn and plans to be the first person in her family to graduate primary school, hoping to one day be a teacher or an author. Unfortunately, Lilian's mother has other plans for her, viewing a...