Cambridge High School Library 2025

By: Julian Gough Location: FIC GOU Genre:  Science Fiction For readers of William Gibson,  Ready Player One , and Naomi Alderman’s  The Power ,  Connect  is a page-turning novel of ideas that thrillingly explores what connection – both human and otherwise – might be in a digital age. "Connect really is a work of genius. It confronts and explores the nature of humanness and existence in a thrilling, immersive, addictive way, and marks Julian Gough out as a prophet  among writers." Donal Ryan  " Connect by Julian Gough is a very ambitious project. It seeks to map the human condition in the context of the greater universe and particularly its place amidst the rise of Artificial Intelligence. So, y’know… just Life, the Universe and Everything. That the author wraps these themes into a good old-fashioned, ripping yarn and pretty much succeeds in his attempt is truly commendable" SW7 Colt is a teenage boy, the only child of divorced parents...

By: David Arnold Location: FIC ARN Genre:Realistic Fiction The New York Times bestselling author of Kids of Appetite and Mosquitoland brings a speculative twist to his latest novel. The result: an incisive and deeply humane story with the feel of Haruki Murakami for teens . This is Noah Oakman → sixteen, Bowie believer, concise historian, disillusioned swimmer, son, brother, friend. Then Noah → gets hypnotized. Now Noah → sees changes—inexplicable scars, odd behaviors, rewritten histories—in all those around him. All except his Strange Fascinations . . . Noah Oakman is lost. He's had the same best friends since fifth grade and the same parents since forever. And even though he has changed, he feels everyone around him has stayed the same. When his friends drag him to an end of summer party, Noah meets a kid named Circuit, in whom he senses a kindred disillusionment. Circuit is an amateur hypnotist. Curious (and kind of drunk), Noah allows Circuit to h...

By:Megan Miranda Location: FIC MIR Genre: Mystery A suspenseful psychological YA mystery about one girl's search to uncover the truth behind her ex-boyfriend's death. Perfect for fans of  We Were Liars  and  13 Reasons Why . Jessa Whitworth knew she didn't belong in her ex-boyfriend Caleb's room. But she couldn't deny that she was everywhere - in his photos, his neatly folded T-shirts, even the dragonfly necklace in his jeans pocket . . . the one she gave him for safe keeping on that day. His mother asked her to pack up his things - even though she blames Jessa for his accident. How could she say no? And maybe, just maybe, it will help her work through the guilt she feels about their final moments together. But as Jessa begins to box up the pieces of Caleb's life, they trigger memories that make Jessa realize their past relationship may not be exactly as she remembered. And she starts to question whether she really knew Caleb at all. Each fragment of his lif...

BY: Sarah Moore Fitzgerald Location: FIC FIT Genre: Love, loss and family " Just gorgeous and wonderfully written, this is a tale of loss and love that fills your heart with joy and sorrow at the same time. Had me weeping in public...but they were happy tears. Brilliant!"- Karina "But here is proof, if ever we needed it , that wonderful things can grow out of even the darkest of times.” A poignant and big-hearted story about love, loss and believing in the magic of the imagination. Grace knows the difference between what's real and the strange ideas that float around in her little sister's mind. Their parents died - that's real. A secret hotel on the cliff-top where their parents are waiting - definitely NOT real. So when grief strikes again, Grace is determined not to let her sister's outlandish imagination spiral out of control. But the line between truth and fantasy is more complicated than it seems... 'Completely beguiling, and funny and...

By: Chelsea Bobulski Location: FIC BOB Genre: Fantasy- Time Travel . ..family, determination, standalone fantasy, fast paced, page turner, mystery, suspense, foliage, cover.... Bobulski's beautiful and eerie young adult debut is a haunting tale of friendship, family, and the responsibilities we choose and those we do not. " The concept is intriguing, and this is a good buy for larger collections."  --Booklist "An ill-fated but still powerful romance, a warped good/bad guy with honorable but flawed intentions, and time travel portals--there's plenty to recommend in this clever novel."  --BCCB  "This well-written debut is sufficiently eerie and fast-paced. Readers will enjoy Winter's confidence and cunning as she seeks the truth. Hand this to readers craving exciting and enjoyable twists on time-travel."  --VOYA "A fast-paced fantasy with a time-travel twist, a forest that comes alive with dark forces, magical benevolent fireflies,...

By: Kristina Perez Location: FIC PER Genre: Fantasy- Retell Genre: Sweet Black Waves #1 I nspired by the star-crossed tale of Tristan and Eseult, this is the story of the legend’s true heroine: Branwen. For fans of  Graceling  and  The Mists of Avalon , this is the first book of a lush fantasy trilogy about warring countries, family secrets, and forbidden romance. Not you without me, not me without you. Two proud kingdoms stand on opposite shores, with only a bloody history between them.  As best friend and lady-in-waiting to the princess, Branwen is guided by two principles: devotion to her homeland and hatred for the raiders who killed her parents. When she unknowingly saves the life of her enemy, he awakens her ancient healing magic and opens her heart. Branwen begins to dream of peace, but the princess she serves is not so easily convinced. Fighting for what's right, even as her powers grow beyond her control, will set Branwen against both her best friend ...

By: Elizabeth H. Winthrop Location: FIC WIN Genre:Historical Fiction- Race Relations   In this exceptionally powerful novel, Elizabeth Winthrop explores matters of justice, racism and the death penalty in a fresh, subtle and profoundly affecting way. Her kaleidoscopic narrative allows us to inhabit the lives of her characters and see them for what they are - complex individuals, making fateful choices we might not condone, but can understand. As the sun begins to set over Louisiana one October day in 1943, a young black man faces the final hours of his life: at midnight, eighteen-year-old Willie Jones will be executed by electric chair for raping a white girl - a crime some believe he did not commit. In a tale taut with tension, events unfold hour by hour from the perspectives of nine people involved. They include Willie himself, who knows what really happened, and his father, desperately trying to reach the town jail to see his son one last time; the prosecuting lawyer, haun...

By: Lisa Maxwell Location: FIC MAX Genre: Fantas y "You guys. This book has been such a labor of love. History. Magic. Cute boys in suspenders. It's like magical newsies without the singing or gangs of New York with magic. There is time travel, a badass girl thief, secret societies, a diverse cast, and so much more. I have loved writing these characters and this world and I hope you all love it too!!"- Lisa Maxwell- The Author “But then, liars do make the best magicians, and he happened to be exceptional.” In modern-day New York, magic is all but extinct. The remaining few who have an affinity for magic—the Mageus—live in the shadows, hiding who they are. Any Mageus who enters Manhattan becomes trapped by the Brink, a dark energy barrier that confines them to the island. Crossing it means losing their power—and often their lives. Esta is a talented thief, and she’s been raised to steal magical artifacts from the sinister Order that created the Brink. With her inn...

By: Andrew Daddo Location: FIC DAD Genre: Coming of Age Hendrix’s father has a vision – to see Hendrix run for Australia at the Olympics. His days are completely mapped out – what he eats, when he trains, when he sleeps, even the air he breathes. There was never room in that vision for a girl, especially in the lead-up to the Nationals. Yet fate works in funny ways, and when Hendrix literally bowls Emily over on a training run, he just can’t get her out of his head. His life and priorities take a turn as he falls for her. But Emily has a deadly secret that she’s scared to share even with Hendrix. As their bond grows and Hendrix strays further from his father’s strict regime, the tension builds to a heart-wrenching climax. "it’s a story about love and family. There are always problems in a family and it’s hard to solve. If each other chooses to listen, everything will be fixed. Particularly, Hendrix doesn’t know why he has to run for the competition and what is the goal of it...

By: Holly Bourne Location: FIC BOU Genre: Romance “The only love affair I needed to invest in right now was one with myself. Spend some time with me. Figuring out myself and why I picked the relationships I did. I was holding out my heart to me. Because I'd realised I was the only person who could give me a happily-ever-after.”   Audrey is over romance. Since her parents' relationship imploded her mother's been catatonic, so she takes a cinema job to get out of the house. But there she meets wannabe film-maker Harry. Nobody expects Audrey and Harry to fall in love as hard and fast as they do. But that doesn't mean things are easy. Because real love isn't like the movies... The greatest love story ever told doesn't feature kissing in the snow or racing to airports. It features pain and confusion and hope and wonder and a ban on cheesy clichés. Oh, and zombies... YA star Holly Bourne tackles real love in this hugely funny and poignant novel. "Holly B...

By: Melinda Salisbury Location: Fic SAL Genre: Fantasy Be swept away by the dark and dangerous new world from Melinda Salisbury, bestselling author of  The Sin Eater's Daughter trilo gy Sorrow - for that is all she brings us. A people laid low by grief and darkness. A cut-throat race for power and victory. A girl with everything and nothing to lose… By day, Sorrow governs the Court of Tears, covering for her grief-maddened father, who has turned their once celebrated land into a living monument for the brother who died before she was born. By night, she seeks solace in the arms of the boy she's loved since childhood. But one ghost won't stop haunting her, and when enemies old and new close ranks against her, Sorrow must decide how far she's willing to go to win... "State of Sorrow is the first novel I have read by Melinda Salisbury and I shall certainly be reading more! This book is beautifully written, incredibly descriptive and packs a political punch.Ther...

BY: Lisa Ko Location: FIC KO Genre: Literary Fiction “ Everyone had stories they told themselves to get through the days.”   "Exquisitely written ......deeply human meditation on despair, loss, love, immigration, identity, diversity, hope, human longings, consequences, .......multilayered and deeply felt!!!!"- Elyse Lisa Ko’s powerful debut,  The Leavers , is the winner of the 2016 PEN/Bellwether Prize for Fiction, awarded by Barbara Kingsolver for a novel that addresses issues of social justice. One morning, Deming Guo’s mother, Polly, an undocumented Chinese immigrant, goes to her job at a nail salon—and never comes home. No one can find any trace of her.  With his mother gone, eleven-year-old Deming is left mystified and bereft. Eventually adopted by a pair of well-meaning white professors, Deming is moved from the Bronx to a small town upstate and renamed Daniel Wilkinson. But far from all he’s ever known, Daniel struggles to reconcile his ad...

By: Stephen Adams Location: NF 920 ADA Genre: Basketball Legend, kiwi as ! A review by Jo- a  6ft 5 inch Year 11 Basketball addict at Cambridge High as told to me! He stole this book before it even was processed after coming in every day for two weeks demanding it! " A very good book Miss, it was inspiring, a fantastic read and I will read it again Miss. Told me stuff about Stephen Adams not shown by the media- I loved it Miss! That is a good review! Now for the official one F or the first time, Steven Adams shares the story behind his meteoric rise from Rotorua to his emerging stardom in the NBA. In this intimate account of his life story so far, the seven-foot centre reflects on his humble upbringing, the impact of his father’s death when he was just 13, the multiple challenges and setbacks he has faced, early career-defining moments, and what basketball means to him. Told with warmth, humour and humility,  My Life, My Fight  is a gripping account from one...

By: Nina LaCour Location: FIC LAC Genre: Young Adult, LGBGT "If you've loved books by John Green and Jandy Nelson and Gayle Forman, or if you're in the mood for a gorgeously written book that's both melancholic and healing, i would definitely recommend this!"-Kat "This is a book about family, first love, grief and solitude"-Lola "You go through life thinking there’s so much you need. . . . Until you leave with only your phone, your wallet, and a picture of your mother." Marin hasn’t spoken to anyone from her old life since the day she left everything behind. No one knows the truth about those final weeks. Not even her best friend Mabel. But even thousands of miles away from the California coast, at college in New York, Marin still feels the pull of the life and tragedy she’s tried to outrun. Now, months later, alone in an emptied dorm for winter break, Marin waits. Mabel is coming to visit and Marin will be forced to face everything tha...

By: Eileen Merriman Location: FIC MER Genre: Realistic Fiction Wise, tough, heart-breaking, funny, this compulsive love story is about facing your demons. Trigger warning for; repeated self harm rape suicide/accidental death. Fifteen-year-old Rebecca McQuilten moves with her parents to a new city. Lonely but trying to fit in, she goes to a party, but that's when things really fall apart. I couldn't tell anyone what had happened. Especially since I was the new girl in town. Who would want to believe me? Things look up when she meets gregarious sixteen-year-old Cory Marshall. 'You're funny, Becs,' Cory said. 'You have no idea,' I said, and clearly he didn't, but I was smiling anyway. And after that, he was all I could think about. Cory helps Rebecca believe in herself and piece her life back together; but that's before he shatters it all over again . . .

By: Michael Mammay Location: FIC MAM Genre:Science Fiction  “A tough, authentic-feeling story that starts out fast and accelerates from there.” – Jack Campbell “Planetside is a smart and fast-paced blend of mystery and boots-in-the-dirt military SF that reads like a high-speed collision between  Courage Under Fire  and  Heart of Darkness .” – Marko Kloo “Definitely the best military sci-fi debut I’ve come across in a while.” – Gavin Smith A seasoned military officer uncovers a deadly conspiracy on a distant, war-torn planet… War heroes aren't usually called out of semi-retirement and sent to the far reaches of the galaxy for a routine investigation. So when Colonel Carl Butler answers the call from an old and powerful friend, he knows it's something big—and he's not being told the whole story. A high councilor's son has gone MIA out of Cappa Base, the space station orbiting a battle-ravaged planet. The young lieutenant had been wounded and evacuated—but the...

By: Erin Beaty Location: FIC BEA Genre:Fantasy Romance COVER ART!!!! "One of the most hotly anticipated young adult fantasy reads of 2017.” — Bustle "An action-packed, expertly plotted story, drenched in double crosses and intrigue, with an irresistible heroine and a sweet and sexy romance.” — Publishers Weekly, An obstinate girl who will not be married.  A soldier desperate to prove himself.  A kingdom on the brink of war. With a sharp tongue and an unruly temper, Sage Fowler is not what they'd call a lady--which is perfectly fine with her. Deemed unfit for marriage, Sage is apprenticed to a matchmaker and tasked with wrangling other young ladies to be married off for political alliances. She spies on the girls--and on the soldiers escorting them. As the girls' military escort senses a political uprising, Sage is recruited by a handsome soldier to infiltrate the enemy ranks. The more she discovers as a spy, the less certain she becomes about whom to trus...

By: Keira Drake Location: FIC DRA Genre: Fantasy- survival Part allegory, part romance and part against-the-odds survival story, Keira Drake's sparkling debut novel engages readers with questions of social responsibility, the nature of peace and violence, and the value-and danger-of nationalism. Thought-provoking, fast-paced and surprising, The Continent will haunt readers long after its covers have been closed. From a land without war to a continent of two warring nations… one girl's crash landing becomes a fight to survive. For her sixteenth birthday, Vaela Sun receives the most coveted gift in all the Spire – a trip to the Continent. It seems an unlikely destination for a holiday: a cold, desolate land where two “uncivilised” nations remain perpetually locked in combat. Most citizens lucky enough to tour the Continent do so to observe the spectacle and violence of war, a thing long banished in the Spire. For Vaela–a talented apprentice cartographer – the journey is...

By: Alicia Drake Location: FIC RA Genre: Contemporary fiction "Everything was extravagant and elegant and I cried then because I knew it would always be this way. Paris will never change, not for you, not for me. Paris doesn't care that you are dying inside; it will always be beautiful, untouchable, aloof, unmoved by you and your pathetic fate." Set in the heart of Left-Bank Paris, this is the story of Paul, a lonely, quiet boy who makes an astonishing discovery and confronts that brutal turning point in adolescence when he learns he must leave the privileges of naivety behind. Thirteen-year-old Paul is a lovable but unloved boy on the vulnerable cusp of manhood. Paul lives in Paris, in a world of privilege where beauty dominates, adults are intent on their own satisfaction, and everything looks perfect. There's nowhere to get dirty, or so it appears. His mother is glamorous and powerful, distracted by a younger lover and her own fear of aging. His wealthy fath...

By: Jane Harper Location: FIC HAR Genre: Mystery, Crme Series: Aaron Falk # 1 2017 Indie Book Awards (Debut Fiction & Book of the Year) WHO REALLY KILLED THE HADLER FAMILY? Luke Hadler turns a gun on his wife and child, then himself. The farming community of Kiewarra is facing life and death choices daily. If one of their own broke under the strain, well ... When Federal Police investigator Aaron Falk returns to Kiewarra for the funerals, he is loath to confront the people who rejected him twenty years earlier. But when his investigative skills are called on, the facts of the Hadler case start to make him doubt this murder-suicide charge. And as Falk probes deeper into the killings, old wounds are reopened. For Falk and his childhood friend Luke shared a secret ... A secret Falk thought long-buried ... A secret which Luke's death starts to bring to the surface ...   " I devoured it in just over 24 hours ... Spellbinding" Ian Rankin "Devastating...

By: Na Dave Gunson Location: PIC GUN Genre: Picture book- Te Reo 5 tiny tomtits on the forest floor. 6 cheeky kea, keen to explore. 5 miromiro nonohi, runga papa ngahere. 6 kea whakatoi, kea toro haere. The illustrations in this book are just gorgeous, - Na Ngaera Roberts has done a stunning job! From the author of the All About New Zealand series is a wonderful book that introduces children to counting and New Zealand's native birds. 1-2-3 BIRD! takes us through thirteen different birds as they get up to mischief and activities in their natural habitats. The colourful watercolour illustrations are full of emotions, with each of the birds having their own unique character. There are many fun layers to this book as it is both a counting and search and find book. Birds in the background of each scene follow on from the previous scene and hint to the next scene. The numbers one to thirteen are hidden in each scene and at the back of the book is a checklist of othe...

By: Karen Cleveland Location: FIC CLE Genre: Thriller ‘Prediction: if you read chapter one, you’ll read chapter two. If you read chapter two, you’ll miss dinner, stay up far too late, and feel tired at work tomorrow. This is that kind of book. Superb.’ LEE CHILD ‘You'll devour this terrific debut like the rest of us, skipping lunch, losing sleep, turning pages until the end.’ JOHN GRISHAM   In pursuit of a Russian sleeper cell on American soil, a CIA analyst uncovers a dangerous secret that will test her loyalty to the agency—and to her family. What do you do when everything you trust might be a lie? Vivian Miller is a dedicated CIA counterintelligence analyst assigned to uncover the leaders of Russian sleeper cells in the United States. On track for a much-needed promotion, she’s developed a system for identifying Russian agents, seemingly normal people living in plain sight. After accessing the computer of a potential Russian operative, Vivian stumbles o...

By:James Swallow Location: FIC SWA Genre: Thriller/ Suspense A terrible threat from the depths of the dark net. A devastating betrayal at the heart of a covert strike force. A deadly pursuit across a digital battlefield. A ruthless terrorist fuelled by revenge. The explosive new action thriller from the internationally bestselling author of Nomad and Exile . When betrayal strikes at the heart of the Rubicon team, Marc Dane uncovers the plot of a deadly cadre of black-hat mercenary hackers - to use an unstoppable virtual weapon against vulnerable civilian targets. Is their plan to spread chaos and to sell their skills to the highest bidder? Or is there a deeper, more personal agenda at work? As attacks unfold across the world - crippling power grids, crashing trains, sowing panic and worse - Marc must call on...

By: Yusra Mardini Location: NF 920 MAR Genre: INSPIRING, TRUE, HEARTBREAKING, MEMOIR  and yes I am shouting.... Yusra Mardini is an Olympic swimmer and Syrian refugee who, in 2015, fled her hometown of Damascus when it became too dangerous to live in the war-torn country. In 2016 Mardini swam with the Refugee Olympic Team and was subsequently named a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador. She lives in Berlin and is training for the 2020 Olympics. This is the  inspiring story of how one woman saved fellow refugees from drowning--and how she went on to become an Olympic swimmer. When young Syrian refugee Yusra Mardini realized her boat's engine shut down as she was traveling from Syria to Greece with other refugees, there was no hesitation: she dove into the water. Surfacing, she heard desperate prayers and sobbing from the passengers in the sinking boat above her. Between the waves, her elder sister Sarah screamed at her to get back on the boat. But Mardini was determined. ...

By: Mark Brake Location: NF 500 BRA Genre: Science Nerd- super heroes stuff The concept of the superhero has permeated our culture. They fascinate their fans with their incredible superhuman abilities and impressive technology. But do you ever wonder if any of it is plausible or rooted in fact? Enter The Science of Superheroes , which address more than fifty topics that span the worlds of your favorite superheroes and villains. Explore and examine their amazing abilities and fantastic gadgets with a detailed scientific lens. The scientific questions examined within this book include: -Can an Iron Man suit be made? -How does Thor's hammer work? -Could any known forms of radiation cause superpowers? -How many calories does Superman need each day? -Could you cross a Lamborghini and a hummer to make the Batmobile Tumbler? -And many more! Whether you're a movie or comic buff, this book is certain to entertain and open your eyes to the truth behind these amazing char...

By: Michale Poore Location: FIC POO Genre: Sci Fi- Fantasy Humour A wildly imaginative novel about a man who is reincarnated over ten thousand lifetimes to be with his one true love: Death herself. “The most fun you’ll have reading about a man who has been killed by both catapult and car accident.” —NPR “This book made me laugh out loud. And then a page later, it made me sob. Reminiscent of Tom Robbins and Christopher Moore, Poore finds humor in the dark absurdities of life.” —Chicago Review of Books “Charming . . . surprisingly light and uplifting . . . It reads like a writer having fun.” —New York Journal of Books First we live. Then we die. And then . . . we get another try? Ten thousand tries, to be exact. Ten thousand lives to "get it right." Answer all the Big Questions. Achieve Wisdom. And Become One with Everything. Milo has had 9,995 chances so far and has just five more lives to earn a place in the cosmic soul. If he doesn't make the cut, o...