Anyone who knows me knows that I am the ultimate Sarah Dessen fan, and obviously I had been anxiously awaiting her next book after 2015’s SAINT ANYTHING (one of my personal favorites). This year, I decided to do something I’ve been wanting to do for a while—a full Dessen reread! I took the summer to go back through her whole catalog and man, was it worth it. (Remy and Dexter!!!) After I finished my walk down memory lane, I finally got to crack ONCE AND FOR ALL, and—no surprise—it did not disappoint.

This latest summer romance from Dessen follows Louna, the daughter of a jaded wedding planner, as she embarks on one last summer at home before college. Louna’s first relationship ended in tragedy, and the way Dessen handles the school shooting storyline took me by surprise—in a good way. Most of Dessen’s novels feel like they are suspended in time, as if they could be set in any given time; this one, though still general enough to feel timeless, has definitely been more influenced by current events, and I think the story benefits from that.

Louna is absolutely not looking for love. Not only is she scarred from losing her boyfriend, but she’s surrounded by people—namely her mother and her mom’s business partner—who don’t even believe in it. She’s seen enough wedding day freak-outs to know that happily ever afters are not guaranteed. But when she meets Ambrose, a boy who makes no promises and never attempts to hide his playboy ways, she surprises herself by opening up again, and to a guy who might be completely wrong for her.

I loved ONCE AND FOR ALL for all the reasons that I love all of Dessen’s books: it’s smart, thoughtful, and endlessly readable. But this one has a special place in my heart, because it feels like Dessen has taken it to the next level, with a sweet but realistic view of what can happen after the big climactic kiss. This is a book that needs no introduction, but as a lifetime fan, I’ll just say—like Louna and her opinions on romance, you may think you know just what to expect, but you may yet be surprised.

Like many readers eager to see themselves reflected in stories, I have devoured Jason Reynolds’s books. He subtly, effortlessly weaves into his stories social obstacles that black folks face, but there are reminders of the beauty in the world and in ourselves throughout the pain and the growth of his characters. One of my favorite reads of 2016 was Ghost, the first in a series following the lives a middle school track team’s newest members. I was eager for Book 2, and thankfully (and unsurprisingly), Patina was everything I wanted it to be! Patina, or “Patty”, has been through more than the average twelve-year-old should face: her father died when she was very young, and after her mother lost both legs to diabetes, Patty’s aunt and uncle became sole guardians of her and her younger sister. Now she lives in a shmanzy neighborhood, attends a shmanzy school, and can’t seem to make friends with her shmanzy classmates. Patty is also the only new girl on the Defenders track team. And even though she’s the fastest girl on the team, she has a lot to prove. Patty is growing up faster than most kids her age, and has fears and anxieties that are relatable even for adults, but there is still innocence and lightness in her story as she finds acceptance in this new life. As the second story in the Track series, and Reynold’s first book with a female protagonist, Patina definitely “ain’t no junk.”

I first came across this picture book as a potential comparative title for a forthcoming nonfiction work on our list. Endpapers depicting the cellular components of microbes set the tone for a wonderfully textured, beautiful, informative read. The text opens with a gentle introduction to microbes: creatures invisible to the naked eye, “so tiny that millions could fit on an ant’s antenna.” From this point on, Davies employs a series of illuminating comparisons to convey the scale, roles, and omnipresence of microbes in our daily lives. The clever interior design accentuates the information expressed, with point size that alternatively increases and shrinks in accordance with the way microbial size and volume are relatively conveyed. Sutton’s warm, accessible palette and inventive compositions make for an especially fun read; microbes are illustrated close-up and far away throughout—alternatively distinguishable under a microscope, and imperceptible in outdoor scenes of human activity.

Striking, creative, and rich with information, this terrific package is a nonthreatening introduction to microbiology for all ages!