Since You Ve Been Gone

A perfect summertime read for fans of John Green, Stephanie Perkins, and Sarah Dessen: It was Sloane who yanked Emily out of her shell and made life 100% interesting. But right before what should have been the most epic summer, Sloane just…disappears. All she leaves behind is a to-do list. On it, thirteen Sloane-inspired tasks that Emily would normally never try. But what if they could bring her best friend back? Apple picking at night? Okay, easy enough. Dance until dawn? Sure. Why not? Kiss a stranger? Um... Emily now has this unexpected summer, and the help of Frank Porter (totally unexpected), to check things off Sloane's list. Who knows what she’ll find? 'Some books leave a very real mark on you and Since You’ve Been Gone is one of those utterly brilliant books' - The Guardian 'A winning blend of touching moments, memorable characters and situational humor takes readers to a surprising revelation at the story’s end.' - Kirkus Reviews 'Morgan Matson is the epitome of YA contemporary.' - Ariel Bissett, Booktuber and blogger

Taylor Edwards family might not be that close - everyone is a little too busy and overscheduled, but for the most part, they get along just fine. Then Taylor's dad gets some devastating news, and her parents decide that the family will spend on last summer together at their old lake house in the Pcocono Mountains. Crammed into a place much smaller than they are used to, they begin to get to know each other again, but as the summer progresses they're more aware than ever that they're battling a ticking clock. And as Taylor tries to deal with the drama at home, she is faced with the fact that the friends she thought she'd left behind haven't actually gone anywhere. Her former summer best friend is still living across the lake and still as mad with Taylor as she was five years ago, and her first boyfriend has moved in next door… but he's much cuter at seventeen than he was at twelve. Can one summer be enough time to get a second chance - with family, friends, and love?

CCBC’s Best Books for Kids & Teens (Fall 2015) - Commended Fifteen-year-old Edie Fraser searches for her mother, who has gone missing shortly after the two moved to London, England, to escape Edie’s abusive father. Is it possible to outrun your past? Fifteen-year-old Edie Fraser and her mother, Sydney, have been trying to do just that for five years. Now, things have gone from bad to worse. Not only has Edie had to move to another new school — she’s in a different country. Sydney promises her that this is their chance at a fresh start, and Edie does her best to adjust to life in London, England, despite being targeted by the school bully. But when Sydney goes out to work the night shift and doesn’t come home, Edie is terrified that the past has finally caught up with them. Alone in a strange country, Edie is afraid to call the police for fear that she’ll be sent back to her abusive father. Determined to find her mother but with no idea where to start, she must now face the most difficult decision of her life.

"An utterly satisfying examination of the business of popular music." —Nathaniel Rich, The Atlantic There’s a reason today’s ubiquitous pop hits are so hard to ignore—they’re designed that way. The Song Machine goes behind the scenes to offer an insider’s look at the global hit factories manufacturing the songs that have everyone hooked. Full of vivid, unexpected characters—alongside industry heavy-hitters like Katy Perry, Rihanna, Max Martin, and Ester Dean—this fascinating journey into the strange world of pop music reveals how a new approach to crafting smash hits is transforming marketing, technology, and even listeners’ brains. You’ll never think about music the same way again. A Wall Street Journal Best Business Book

Leah Williams is back in the quaint town of Heritage, Michigan, and ready to try again to make her business a success. But blank slates are hard to come by, and a piece of her past is waiting for her there. Heir to the Heritage Fruits company, Jonathan Kensington is the guy who not only made Leah's past difficult, he also seems determined to complicate her present as well. Jon is trying to prove to the Heritage Fruits board that he, not his manipulative uncle, should be running the business. The board insists Jon find a new owner for the building that will house Leah's business. To avoid forcing a buyout of Leah's part of the building, Jon strikes a compromise with Leah, and the two go into business together. With her vision and his know-how, it might work. And Leah might realize he's loved her since high school. If only he didn't keep on shooting himself in the foot by boxing her out of important decisions. Sparks fly in this romantic story of two people who must learn to trust both each other and the one who called them to this journey. "A welcome homecoming for series fans, this is also recommended for all who love small town romances."--Booklist

Emmaline Ryan has always been the smart, shy girl who plays it safe. But all that’s gotten her is a divorce and a mountain of debt to pay off courtesy of her ex-husband. Needless to say, she’s stopped believing in miracles and fairy tales a long time ago. Except now she’s in desperate need of one those miracles if she wants to save her family’s animal rescue. Emmaline knows just where to go for help, but that means putting her faith in the hands of the man who once broke her heart without even realizing it. Garrett Coleman met the girl of his dreams when he was just eight years old – only, he never told her. But that was years ago. Now, Garrett has become a reluctant social media star – the shirtless #HotDoc and #SexyVet who saves scared and helpless animals. Sure, it’s been great for business, but he’d give anything for people to see the real him, preferably with a shirt on. When a visit home to Magnolia Sound has him running into the shy girl he left behind, he sees his chance at the future he never thought he deserved. Unfortunately, he’s not the only one back in town, and wooing Emmaline just became a lot more complicated. A lot has changed since he’s been gone and Garrett is going to have to prove that he’s up to the challenge. Emmaline might still be the sweet and quiet girl he left behind, but he’s not sure she willing to wait.

A decade ago, teenaged clairvoyant Rebecca Ryan gained notoriety helping the local police solve high-profile cases. Then came the shocking kidnapping that hit close to home; the first crime she couldn't solve. Haunted by guilt since the shattering day her beloved kid brother was found murdered, Rebecca has finally made a fresh start in New Orleans. Then comes the all-too-familar vision: Mind-numbing terror. Shattering pain. The grim certainty that somewhere, a child has been kidnapped from his bed in the middle of the night. A child who shares Rebecca's last name--and perhaps, her brother's grim fate. Back in quaint Sinclair, West Virginia, Rebecca intends to use her psychic gift to find her cousin's missing son before it's too late. But some people in town--and in the Ryan household itself--still resent her for what her second sight did. Some haven't forgiven her for what it couldn't do. And one vengeful soul is determined that Rebecca and her family will once again pay a deadly ransom...

An ALA Top Ten Best Book for Young Readers, Shortlisted for the Waterstone's Book Prize and a Publisher's Weekly "Flying Start" book Amy Curry's year sucks. And it's not getting any better. Her mother has decided to move, so somehow Amy has to get their car from California to the East Coast. There's just one problem: since her father's death Amy hasn't been able to get behind the wheel of a car. Enter Roger, the son of a family friend, who turns out to be funny, nice . . . and unexpectedly cute. But Roger's plans involve a more "scenic" route than just driving from A to B, so suddenly Amy finds herself on the road trip of a lifetime. And, as she grows closer to Roger, Amy starts to realise that sometimes you have to get lost to find your way home. . . Praise for Amy & Roger's Epic Detour 'One of the most touching, irresistible, and feel-good road trips I've been on in a long, long while. Amy & Roger is a book to love.' Deb Caletti, National Book Award Finalist 'A near-perfect summer read that should leave readers with a thirst for travel and romance.' Publishers Weekly, Starred Review 'This entertaining and thoughtful summertime road trip serves up slices of America with a big scoop of romance on the side.' Kirkus Reviews 'A classic literary road trip is what Matson delivers in high style…if all road trips were like this, nobody'd ever stay home.' BCCB 'An emotionally rewarding road novel.' School Library Journal