By Julian Winters 

Viking, 2023. 328 pages. Young Adult 

When 17-year-old Theo Wright is dared to ask his crush, Christian, to their junior prom, Theo accepts gleefully. However, when his promposal goes epically wrong, Theo seeks refuge in an empty bedroom during a house party, where he is joined by others escaping who they're supposed to be outside the bedroom door. As the teens discuss the issues at school, relationships, and what they truly want in life, their unique circumstances will start to build bridges they didn’t realize they needed. 

This has a diverse, authentic cast of characters, and I want to hug them all! All the characters, even the ones on the fringes, clearly have well thought-out backstories and motivations. The main characters are struggling with acceptance in a variety of ways, whether it’s acceptance from each other, gender identity, sexual orientation, or race, and they have some pretty deep discussions about it. This is definitely a book that will have you thinking long after you’ve put it down. An easy recommendation from me. 

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda  

By Becky Albertalli 

Balzer + Bray, 2015. 303 pages. Young Adult 

Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he's pushed out--without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he's never met. 

All We Can Do is Wait  

By Richard Lawson 

Razorbill, 2018. 275 pages. Young Adult 

Keeping vigil in the waiting room of Massachusetts General Hospital in the hours after a bridge collapse rocks the city, a group of teens endure painful secrets and fears for their injured loved ones while struggling to resolve the difficulties of their pasts and the uncertainty of their futures. 

ACS