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(3)
YA
After high school and her brother's death, bereaved Rachel returns to the Australian town where she and her brother grew up. A job at former crush Henry's failing family bookshop reunites Rachel with friends, but she worries about the store closing. In alternating chapters punctuated by letters and marginalia from used books, Henry and Rachel circle each other until finally coming together. A smart, sweet, literary romance.
(3)
YA
Lucy loves the strange, profound work of Shadow, an elusive graffiti artist. She and Ed, a boy she once punched, go on an all-night adventure to find the artist. Their discussions about art and their analysis of Shadow's work are exceptionally sharp. Alternating first-person chapters featuring gritty, compelling prose follow the two teens as they make discoveries about themselves along the way.
(4)
YA
Guitar-playing city-girl Charlie summers in the small town where year-round resident Rose feels trapped. Set in Australia, the novel occasionally strains at lyricism, and the protagonists' voices aren't distinguishable enough. However, the dialogue is spry and the book's concerns--embarking on friendship, loss of a parent, longing for greener pastures--are surefire adolescent hooks.