Trick or Treat YA Books

Girls Save the World in This One by Ash Parsons Mega-fan June Blue's whole life has been leading up to this moment: ZombieCon! The Ultimate in Undead Entertainment has finally come to her hometown. She and her two best friends—gorgeous, brilliant Imani and super-sweet, outrageously silly Siggy—plan on hitting all the panels and photo ops, and meeting the heartthrob lead of their favorite zombie apocalypse show, Human Wasteland. It's going to be the best time of their lives—and one of their last adventures before they all split up for college. And when they arrive, everything seems perfect. June's definitely not going to let anything get in the way of the flawless con experience—even though she's endlessly anxious about the SATs and college admissions, and she can't seem to avoid her ex-best friend Blair, whose VIP badge lets her walk straight to the front of every single line. No matter what, June is determined to make the best of her dream day at ZombieCon! But something's not quite right at the con—there are strange people in hazmat suits running around, enthusiastic cosplayers taking their shambling a little too far, and someone actually biting a cast member. Then, at a panel gone wrong, June and her friends discover the truth: the zombie apocalypse is here. Now June, Imani, and Siggy must do whatever it takes to survive a horde of actual flesh-eating zombies—and save the world. A hilarious and heartfelt horror comedy that is an ode to zombies, friendship, and girl power. Check it out:

• Physical copy from RPL: teen fiction
• Digital copy from Hoopla: audiobook
• Digital copy from Libby: ebook

Other books by this author:

• Still Waters (2015)
• The Falling Between Us (2018)
• You're So Dead (2021)

White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson Marigold is running from ghosts. The phantoms of her old life keep haunting her, but a move with her newly blended family from their small California beach town to the embattled Midwestern city of Cedarville might be the fresh start she needs. Her mom has accepted a new job with the Sterling Foundation that comes with a free house, one that Mari now has to share with her bratty ten-year-old stepsister, Piper. The renovated picture-perfect home on Maple Street, sitting between dilapidated houses, surrounded by wary neighbors has its . . . secrets. That's only half the problem: household items vanish, doors open on their own, lights turn off, shadows walk past rooms, voices can be heard in the walls, and there's a foul smell seeping through the vents only Mari seems to notice. Worse: Piper keeps talking about a friend who wants Mari gone. But "running from ghosts" is just a metaphor, right? As the house closes in, Mari learns that the danger isn't limited to Maple Street. Cedarville has its secrets, too. And secrets always find their way through the cracks. Check it out:

• Physical copy from RPL: teen fiction
• Digital copy from Libby/Overdrive: ebook, audiobook

Other books by this author:

• Allegedly (2017)
• Monday's Not Coming (2018)
• Let Me Hear a Rhyme (2019)
• Grown (2020)

All These Bodies by Kendare Blake Summer 1958. A gruesome killer plagues the Midwest, leaving behind a trail of bodies completely drained of blood. Michael Jensen, an aspiring journalist whose father happens to be the town sheriff, never imagined that the Bloodless Murders would come to his backyard. Not until the night the Carlson family was found murdered in their home. Marie Catherine Hale, a diminutive fifteen-year-old, was discovered at the scene—covered in blood. She is the sole suspect in custody. Michael didn't think that he would be part of the investigation, but he is pulled in when Marie decides that he is the only one she will confess to. As Marie recounts her version of the story, it falls to Michael to find the truth: What really happened the night that the Carlsons were killed? And how did one girl wind up in the middle of all these bodies? Check it out:

• Physical copy from RPL: teen fiction
• Digital copy from Libby/Overdrive: ebook, audiobook

Other books/series by this author:

• Anna
  • Anna Dressed in Blood (2011)
  • Girl of Nightmares (2012)
• Goddess War
  • Antigoddess (2013)
  • Mortal Gods (2014)
  • Ungodly (2015)
• Three Dark Crowns

• Three Dark Crowns (2016)
• One Dark Throne (2017)
• Two Dark Reigns (2018)
• Five Dark Fates (2019)

Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker Nova Huang knows more about magic than your average teen witch. She works at her grandmothers' bookshop, where she helps them loan out spell books and investigate any supernatural occurrences in their New England town. One fateful night, she follows reports of a white wolf into the woods, and she comes across the unexpected: her childhood crush, Tam Lang, battling a horse demon in the woods. As a werewolf, Tam has been wandering from place to place for years, unable to call any town home. Pursued by dark forces eager to claim the magic of wolves and out of options, Tam turns to Nova for help. Their latent feelings are rekindled against the backdrop of witchcraft, untested magic, occult rituals, and family ties both new and old in this enchanting tale of self-discovery. Check it out:

• Physical copy from RPL: teen graphic novel
• Digital copy from Hoopla: graphic ebook

The Perfect Place to Die by Bryce Moore In order to save her sister, Zuretta takes a job at an infamous house of horrors-but she might never escape. Zuretta never thought she'd encounter a monster. She had resigned herself to a quiet life in Utah. But when her younger sister, Ruby, travels to Chicago during the World's Fair, and disappears, Zuretta leaves home to find her. But 1890s Chicago is more dangerous and chaotic than she imagined. She doesn't know where to start until she learns of her sister's last place of employment...a mysterious hotel known as The Castle. Zuretta takes a job there hoping to learn more. And before long she realizes the hotel isn't what it seems. Women disappear at an alarming rate, she hears crying from the walls, and terrifying whispers follow her at night. In the end, she finds herself up against one of the most infamous mass murderers in American history-and his custom-built death trap. With real, terrifying quotes in front of each chapter, strong female characters, and unbearable suspense, The Perfect Place to Die is perfect for fans of true crime, horror, and the Stalking Jack the Ripper series. Check it out: Physical copy from RPL: teen fiction Digital copy from Hoopla: ebook

Pumpkin Heads by Rainbow Rowell Deja and Josiah are seasonal best friends. Every autumn, all through high school, they've worked together at the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world. (Not many people know that the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world is in Omaha, Nebraska, but it definitely is.) They say good-bye every Halloween, and they're reunited every September 1. But this Halloween is different—Josiah and Deja are finally seniors, and this is their last season at the pumpkin patch. Their last shift together. Their last good-bye. Josiah's ready to spend the whole night feeling melancholy about it. Deja isn't ready to let him. She's got a plan: What if—instead of moping and the usual slinging lima beans down at the Succotash Hut—they went out with a bang? They could see all the sights! Taste all the snacks! And Josiah could finally talk to that cute girl he's been mooning over for three years... What if their last shift was an adventure? Check it out:

• Physical copy from RPL: teen graphic novel
• Digital copy from Libby/Overdrive: ebook

Other books by this author:

• Attachments (2011)
• Eleanor & Park (2012)
• Fangirl (2013)
• Landline (2014)
• Simon Snow series:
  • Carry On (2015)
  • Wayward Son (2019)
  • Any Way the Wind Blows (2021)