Welcome to the online presence of the Butler Children's Literature Center, housed in Dominican's SOIS (Crown Library room 214). Here, we celebrate the best in books for youth and those who delight in sharing them. For Summer 2025, BCLC will offer collection access to the Dominican community and general public during posted open hours: Tuesday and Thursday 9am to 4pm, Wednesday noon-4pm, Friday 9am-5pm and by appointment with the Curator. Contact Jen Clemons at jclemons@dom.edu to make arrangements or you can still reach us at butler@dom.edu.
America’s Not-So Sweetheart Blair Hanson Page Street Publishing Age 14+ June 17, 2025
Who says a villain can’t change? But who’s to say he wants to? Teenage Alec Braud won his season of the reality show Campfire Wars by playing a dirty game of lies and manipulation, securing the $250,000 prize to help his family’s struggling wildlife rehabilitation center. Nicknamed Aleconda for his slippery behavior and an on/off showmance with the season’s golden boy, Joaquín Delgado, he left the show to vitriol from the fandom. When Joaquín invites him on a Midwestern road trip to complete a photography project for his art school application, Alec jumps at the chance to repair their relationship and rehab his reputation. An invitation to a Campfire Wars convention in New York sidetracks their plans and helps Alec see he’s not the only bad guy in town—other seasons’ villains, the shows production staff and even Joaquín prove just as devious.
Blair Hanson brings the drama in this LGBTQ+ YA romance, his debut. The emotions are messy and overly complicated, even for seventeen-year-old boys, and the relationship between the protagonists is weighted with angst. Alec’s self-doubt and neediness temper his sketchy behavior enough to have you rooting for his redemption arc, while Joaquín’s cool-kid bravado will make readers wonder if he really is too good to be true. Told from Alec’s perspective, he is the more fully drawn character, while other are a bit flat. Themes of diversity and representation (questionable in the Campfire Wars universe), integrity, healthy relationships, and the toxicity of reality TV are all woven into the plot but are often overshadowed by Alec’s desperation to prove himself worthy of love from his boyfriend, his parents, and the public. His final decision to stand up for himself as-is and his right to a healthy relationship, help to redeem both him and the plot. Just like reality TV, America’s Not-So Sweetheart is an attention-grabbing, if melodramatic, entry to the summer romance genre.
Amelia, If Only Written by Becky Albertalli Published by HarperCollins Publishers/Harper Ages 14-18 Available June 10, 2025
Amelia can’t believe her luck when she finds out that her favorite YouTuber, Walter Holland, is hosting a meet and greet just a few hours away from her hometown. Eager to spend one last weekend with her best friends, Zora, Natalie, and Mark, before graduation, Amelia plans a road trip to meet Walter and distract Natalie from her toxic ex-girlfriend, who dumped her at prom. When they get to the meet and greet and become friends with Walter, Amelia is beyond excited. Her parasocial crush on Walter often leaves butterflies in her stomach, but after developing a genuine friendship with him, Amelia begins to wonder if she’s misjudging her feelings for Walter…and for Natalie.
Becky Albertalli combines her hallmark wit and humor with tender emotion to create a fast-paced story with an endearing cast of characters. Amelia’s adventurous spirit mixes well with her more grounded friends, resulting in a fun road trip comedy. Albertalli deepens the story by thoughtfully discussing the journey of self-discovery when it comes to queer identity by showing different coming out stories; for example, Amelia questioned her sexuality for years before coming out, whereas Zora and Natalie knew early on in life that they were lesbians. This nuanced conversation brings realistic and well-developed queer representation to Amelia’s story. Albertalli also uses Walter’s character and his own queer identity to introduce young readers to the concept of parasocial relationships and the role that queer celebrities play as a space of comfort and representation online. By incorporating Internet posts from Walter and his fans, she develops his character enough to allow readers to instantly connect with him when he becomes friends with Amelia. At once funny and heartwarming, Amelia, If Only will provide valuable queer representation to teen collections across public and classroom libraries.
Even though it’s only April, we here at the Butler Center have received countless fantastic books for teens! From fantasy to romance, we want to share some great new teen fiction, like Love on Paper by Danielle Parker. When Macy Descanso is accepted to attend Penovation, a high-profile writing workshop program, she knows she has some big shoes to fill from her writer parents. However, when the workshop’s theme is romance and Macy’s critique partner is the (irresistably cute) son of her parents’ writing rivals, Caleb, she feels the pressure rachet up. Soon, when a classmate reveals a mystery left behind by a romantic literary giant, she knows it will be the perfect thing to distract her from her imposter syndrome. Plus, would it really be so bad to bond with Caleb, who is growing more charming by the second, over solving this mystery? Parker presents a fun summer romance, building Macy and Caleb’s relationship incrementally until they finally admit their feelings for each other. The mystery element adds an entertaining touch, propelling the story forward as the characters explore Berkeley and the surrounding area to find the prolific writer Betty Quinn’s last unfinished manuscript. Parker doesn’t shy away from heavier topics, discussing grief, complicated parental relationships, and imposter syndrome. Using thoughtful and humorous prose, Parker explores what it means to make a name for yourself, even when escaping your parents’ shadow feels impossible. Joyful, funny, and intriguing, Love on Paper is a wonderful young adult rom-com to add to any personal or public library collection!
Check out more teen fiction below!
A Bird in the Air Means We Can Still Breathe Written by Mahogany L. Browne Published by Crowne Books for Young Readers Available now!
Camila Nunez’s Year of Disasters Written by Miriam Zoila Perez Published by Page Street Publishing Available now!
Love on Paper Written by Danielle Parker Published by Joy Revolution Available now!
On the Wings of la Noche Written by Vanessa L. Torres Published by Alfred A. Knopf Available now!
True Life in Uncanny Valley Written by Deb Caletti Published by Labyrinth Road Available now!
The Rose Bargain Written by Sasha Peyton Smith Published by Harper/HarperCollins Publishers Ages 15-18 (Publisher recommends ages 13 and up) Available February 4, 2025
The time has come for Lady Ivy Benton to make her debut into high society and her bargain with England’s immortal faerie Queen Moryen, who has ruled for the last 400 years. Ivy has been dreading her debut since her family fell from grace when her older sister’s debut season went wrong after she bargained away her memory to experience something new and escape the confines of high society. However, when the queen announces a competition to marry her fae son, Prince Bram, Ivy sees an opportunity to repair her family’s social status. Facing the queen’s cruel tests and the animosity of the five other girls in the competition, the stakes rise when Bram’s human stepbrother, Prince Emmett, proposes a risky plot to unseat the Queen. Soon, Ivy’s plan to save her family from social ruin develops into a mission to free all of England from the queen’s cruel reign, made only more complicated by her growing feelings for the wrong prince.
Smith expertly crafts a compelling plot full of intrigue, romance, and danger in this historical fantasy. Ivy’s friendship with the other girls develops fully over the course of the plot, starting as adversaries and eventually becoming each other’s confidantes as they face the grueling competition together. Ivy and Emmett’s developing romantic feelings, which culminate in a sexually explicit intimate scene, add a layer of emotional tension and skew this novel toward the older end of the young adult range. The cast of characters is diverse without feeling tokenized, including characters of Japanese and Ghanian descent, and a lesbian romance subplot. Although Ivy’s perspective dominates the book, Smith includes vignettes of other characters’ points of view, including the other competitors, Emmett, and Ivy’s sister, Lydia. These additions add depth to the story and worldbuilding without distracting from the central plot. A thrilling fantasy adventure, The Rose Bargain will keep readers hooked from page one and counting down the days until the next installment.
My Big, Fat Desi Wedding: A YA Romance Anthology Edited by Prerna Pickett Page Street Publishing February 13, 2024 Age 14+
All the big flavors, big fashion, and big family drama of an extravagant Desi wedding, in an extraordinary series of bite-sized stories. Jaanu, a sassy younger sister who’s very words can mysteriously bring about disaster for the happy couple—rainy weather, a tipsy bride, or a missing wedding dress. Zayna, driven to distraction by a desire to help her mother and avoid a cute, but infuriating classmate, finds that food and friendship can go hand-in-hand to help heal a heartache. In a blackout experience, Shloka, binds herself, and her cult, to a rival vampire who also happens to be her long-lost love. Eight short stories full of wedding drama and swoony romance, spanning genre, culture and location, are bookended by the perspective of a mysterious auntie that flits through the stories like a Desi fairy godmother.
Prerna Pickett expertly weaves these stories of family, tradition, and love while still honoring the diversity of Desi cultures the authors celebrate. Each well-crafted story shines, and includes its own variation of the highs and lows that all families go through and the complex emotions that often bubble up around even the most joyous wedding celebration. The individual authors’ style and flair are evident, and the entries vary in themes and tone (from humorous to horrifying), while still reading as a well-linked collection. Design details such as the mehndi-like border to the chapter breaks and the varied skin tones and traditions represented in the cover art add to the cultural (and romantic) emersion readers will get from this delightful anthology. A fun and fast-paced collection sure to entice romantics, foodies, fashionistas, and maybe a meddling auntie or two.
The Feeling of Falling in Love Mason Deever Scholastic/Push August 2, 2022
When his perfect friends with benefits situation is complicated by feelings—yikes—Neil panics. But instead of talking things out, he determines the best way to help Josh get over him is to fake a new relationship with the roommate he barely tolerates. A conscientious student and budding musician, Wyatt agrees to the plan in exchange for a potential audition with Neil’s music exec brother. But a family wedding in Beverly Hills is a long way, in every way, from their North Carolina boarding school. And if Neil thinks he’s a complicated mess, introducing sweet, sensitive Wyatt to his mother’s performative allyship and his grandparents’ transphobia only adds to it. As fake feelings turn real, Neil realizes he deserves better than he’s had and that Wyatt deserves better too. So it’s time to be better. Though not an especially sympathetic character, Deaver draws Neil as a messy and emotional jerk who is ultimately capable of change. Tenderly awkward Wyatt is an adorable foil and rounds out Neil’s found family of LGBTQ friends and support. This train wreck turned love story is full of snarky humor, complex friendships, and just the right amount of angsty YA romance.
Love from Scratch
Love from Scratch Kaitlyn Hill Penguin Random House/Delacorte April 5, 2022
Landing a coveted summer marketing internship with the foodie channel Friends of Flavor is a dream come true for super-fan Reese Camden. The Seattle media company is worlds away from her Kentucky home and the social media trolling nightmare that was her high school years. Thrown into a video with fellow intern and charming cooking wiz, Benny Beneventi, turns her summer upside down. Her safely behind-the-scenes job is suddenly not so hidden when their video is a viral sensation and becomes a regular feature on the channel. And friendly competition turns serious when the two are pitted against each other for the chance to stay on with the company come fall. What’s more important, her career goals or her potential romance? Hill throws plenty of obstacles in Reese’s way (internet trolls, sleazy executives, and LOTS of self-doubt), balanced by supportive friends and goofy, but loveable Benny. Reese’s work ethic, perseverance, and her desire to make a difference for the channel, keep things from getting too saccharine. A perfect sweet and salty combo!
My Sister’s Big Fat Indian Wedding
My Sister’s Big Fat Indian Wedding Sajni Patel Abrams/Amulet April 19, 2022
Music college dreams hit family responsibility reality for hip hop violin phenom, Zuri Damani. Her college hopes seem dashed for good by a rejection letter from Juilliard, but a local competition offers a second chance if only she can fit it into a week packed with wedding prep, wedding photography, and LOTS of wedding parties. And hide it all from her very traditional, law-school-plotting parents. When her biggest competition turns out to be the heartthrob cousin of her future brother-in-law, Zuri turns challenge into inspiration. Support from a big, sneaky group of cousins and a growing rivalry/friendship with Naveen (the heartthrob) push her to get creative to follow her dreams and be there for her family. Well drawn primary characters, exhibiting all the insecurities, bravado, and creativity of teenagers, are balanced by very involved, if sometimes domineering adult family members. Full of vibrant colors, music, and smells that drift tantalizingly off the page, Patel pulls the reader right into the party and all the chaos you’d imagine from an 8-day wedding extravaganza.
Nothing Burns as Bright as You
Nothing Burns as Bright as You Ashley Woodfolk Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/Versify April 5, 2022
This stark and beautiful novel in verse follows two unnamed queer black girls in a dual-timeline look at how they came together and how they burned it all down in the end. As their relationship moves beyond just friendship, their unhealthy and unbalanced dynamic begins to wear them both down. The neediness and desperation of the narrator and episodes of aloofness from a love interest only referred to as “You” foreshadow the moment one draws the other over the edge of self-destruction. The girls start a fire in a school dumpster, leading to the eventual destruction of their relationship. Woodfolk uses fire imagery throughout the novel, evoking volatile emotions, incredible passion, and actual acts of arson. Verses often flash back to their very different childhoods and follow a winding path exploring struggles with adultification, neglect, and the need to be seen. Spare language and many quick, yet powerful verses create a quick read that packs a powerful punch.
Rivals
Rivals: American Royals III Katherine McGee Random House May 31, 2022
In an alternate reality America, a royal family—the Washingtons—rules the country and they provide all the drama and romance one might expect of young royals. Newly crowned Queen Beatrice is learning how to rule while navigating a relationship with a disgruntled fiancé, who will always come in second place to her job. After years of being the Party Princess, Samantha has finally fallen in love with a future Duke, but with her relationship under a microscope, she might just be ready to run away from her royal duties for good. Prince Jefferson, the family heartthrob, has his pick of girls: Daphne, his on again off again girlfriend; Nina, his friend, turned lover; and Gabriella, a ruthless noble bent on becoming a princess. Three intertwined storylines follow the siblings as they deal with life, love, and friendship in the royal spotlight. McGee weaves themes of love and angst, with grief, guilt, and glamor to create an emotional connection to characters that might otherwise seem far removed from us commoners. This third installment in the series builds on their glittering world and complicated relationships, and ends on the perfect cliffhanger to leave royal-watchers on the lookout for volume four (coming 2023).
Love is in the air and on the shelves in the Butler Center this winter! And while it’s not uncommon, especially nearing Valentine’s Day, to find a plethora of lovey-dovey books to be had—this year seems particularly love-struck. One of the editors over at BookPage has even declared 2020 to be “the year of the YA rom-com” (they are REALLY looking forward to Yes No Maybe So, the upcoming collaboration between Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed, and so am I). They just may be right!
Lest you think it’s all carnations and conversation heart candy over here, there are some pretty fabulous and thoughtful twists on the traditional romantic tropes and quite a few delightfully complex characters and plots to be found as well. Take a look at some of our favorites.
Kissing Lessons by Sophie Jordan
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Available June 2020
Ages 14 and up
Hayden Vargas is a reputed “bad girl.” Emmaline Martin is just the opposite but determined to break out of her “good little sister” box. What could go wrong when Emmaline hires Hayden to give her lessons on how to land a man? An authentic friendship develops between the girls, challenging Emmaline’s comfort zone and Hayden’s desperately poor and unsupportive home life, making this story as much about friendship as it is about romance.
Four Days of You and Me by Miranda Kenneally
Published by Sourcebooks
Available May 2020
Ages 14 and up
The evolution and devolution of a relationship told in four class trips. Alex and Lulu go from enemies to lovers and back again as they fight, makeup, and support one another through the ups and downs of high school. The secondary plot line that follows Lulu’s art and interest in graphic novels through writing and selling one is compelling and could have played an even bigger part in these fun episodes.
19 Love Songs by David Levithan
Published by Alfred A. Knopf
Available January 2020
Ages 14 and up
Joyous, awkward, tearful, raw, supportive, and lonely—19 Love Songs is a short story collection focused on love and all its many, many forms. Some are stories Levithan wrote as valentine notes to his friends, several first appeared in other short story collections, and all take a thoughtful look at the love between friends, strangers, partners, parents, families, and teammates. An appropriately varied mix-tape of emotions for Valentine’s Day.
Finding Mr. Better-Than-Youby Shani Petroff
Published by Swoon Reads
Available January 2020
Ages 14 and up
When Camryn Roth is dumped by her boyfriend, she turns to her other love, romantic comedies, for solace. With them comes an idea… What if she could use classic rom-com themes to make her ex jealous and salvage her senior year and her life plan—Columbia University with Marc by her side. As with any good movie in the genre, things go awry, and Camryn ends up discovering the true self she lost to her relationship. As sweet and silly as a big-screen rom-com with a side of self-actualization.
Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Katherine Webber
Published by Scholastic Press
Available January 2020
Ages 12 and up
Reiko is good at keeping secrets, like the fact that she still sees and talks to her dead sister Mika. So when the school’s “It girl” starts dating gawky, quiet, unpopular Seth, she can keep that a secret too. But when their relationship goes public her entire life starts to spiral out of control–Seth, her grades, and her secrets. More toxic relationship drama, than rom-com, this story of grief, introspection, and self-discovery is also a love letter to its stunning desert setting.
This Train is Being Held by Ismée Williams
Published by Amulet Books/Abrams
Available January 2020
Ages 14 and up
Two strangers meet on a train—Isa the dancer and Alex the baseball player. Then they meet again and again and again. Small snippets of their vastly different lives unfold between run-ins on the subway. But can they really develop a relationship while hiding so much of themselves from the other? Themes of racism, mental health struggles, gang violence, and heavy family expectations make this far more complex than your average YA romance.
Kissing Lessons by Sophie Jordan
Four Days of You and Me by Miranda Kenneally
19 Love Songs by David Levithan
Finding Mr. Better-Than-You by Shani Petroff
Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Katherine Webber
This Train is Being Held by Ismée Williams
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