Battle of the Books 2019: 9th-12th Grade Booklist

9th-12th Grade Battle
March 5th, 2019
CLP – East Liberty | CLP – Main | CLP – Squirrel Hill
Learn more and register at www.carnegielibrary.org/battleofthebooks

If you’re interested in audio or digital copies of the books check out Hoopla and Overdrive (library card required) or ask library staff for help!

Miles Morales: Spider-Man

In addition to being just your average teenager, Miles Morales is also Spider Man. But lately, Miles’s spidey-sense has been on the fritz, especially in his history class, where his teacher lectures on the historical “benefits” of slavery and the importance of the modern-day prison system. When a misunderstanding leads to his suspension from school, Miles begins to question his abilities and wonders if a kid like him is even meant to be a superhero. But then he uncovers a chilling plot, one that puts his friends, his neighborhood, and himself at risk. Looks like Miles will have to suit up!



The Poet X

Ever since her body grew into curves, Xiomara Batista has felt unheard and unable to hide in her Harlem neighborhood and she has learned to let her fists and her fierceness do the talking, but Xiomara has plenty she wants to say, and she pours all her frustration and passion onto the pages of a leather notebook, reciting the words to herself like prayers. You can also check out this title as eAudio on Overdrive/Libby, as eBook on Overdrive/Libby, as eAudio on Hoopla and as eBook on Hoopla.


Spill Zone

Three years ago a mysterious accident known as The Spill destroyed the city of Poughkeepsie, replacing it with The Spill Zone, a place where reality is twisted and changed. Although the government does not allow civilians within the Zone, Addison, a teen orphaned by the Spill, makes her living and supports her younger sister by going inside and photographing the weird and uncanny images that she finds. For a big payday she decides to break her own rules for survival, and a hellish adventure begins.


When Dimple Met Rishi

Dimple Shah is excited to attend a summer course in web development and escape her arranged-marriage-minded parents. Rishi Patel is excited to attend a summer course in web development to meet his future wife, whom his parents have assured him is also attending. Will opposites attract or traditions clash?


Tyler Johnson Was Here

Twins Marvin and Tyler Johnson know that the police are often not on their side – they’ve seen it first hand, getting a gun drawn on them as bystanders to a police chase, and later at a house party, after a shooting breaks out. In the confusion, Marvin loses track of his brother. Later, his body is found, shot, and police attribute his death to gang violence. But that’s not the truth – a cop killed Tyler and a video exists proving it. Marvin and his family struggle to survive this trauma and the trauma of being Black in America. You can also check out this title as eAudio on OverDrive/Libby or as eBook on OverDrive/Libby.


Dreadnought

Dreadnought, the world’s greatest superhero, falls out of the sky and dies in front of Danny Tozer. Danny is transgender but doesn’t feel ready to come out as a transgender woman. But Dreadnought’s powers allow her to be seen as her ideal self, so she’s suddenly transformed into a super-powered teenage girl. Now she has to deal with all the intricacies of coming out as well as being a new superhero with the weight of humanity on her shoulders.

You can also check out this title as an eBook on Overdrive/Libby and as an eBook on Hoopla.


Landscape with Invisible Hand

When the vuvv come to Earth, they replace the 1% as the ruling class, with free technology and eradication of disease: for those who can afford it. Adam is an artist, but with so many jobs eliminated by the vuvv, he has to support his family through monetizing his relationship with his girlfriend for the entertainment of the aliens. It seems like the perfect idea until it starts to ruin his personal life, and Adam has to figure out what he’s really willing to do to survive.


How Dare the Sun Rise: Memoirs of a War Child

Sandra Uwiringiyimana escaped a rebel attack in a refugee camp that took the lives of her mother and sister. She came to America through a United Nations program and went into middle school in New York City. This is her story of navigating her past and finding her place in the world.


The 57 Bus

Sasha, a high school senior from Oakland, CA, was napping on the 57 bus home from school. Shortly thereafter, Richard, another Oakland teen, boarded the bus with his two friends. When the trio’s jokes took a dark turn, Richard’s and Sasha’s lives were forever changed.