Category: Riot Rundown

Sponsored by Channel Kindness by Born This Way Foundation Reporters with Lady Gaga

In Lady Gaga and Born This Way Foundation’s first book, you’ll find stories of inspiration and community from young storytellers.

Within the pages of CHANNEL KINDNESS you’ll meet changemakers who found their inner strength, prevailed in the face of bullies, started their own social movements, and decided to break through the mental health stigma.

These storytellers share how they felt, created safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth, and embraced kindness with every fiber of their being by helping others without the expectation of anything in return.

Sponsored by Penguin Teen

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda goes to Italy in Arvin Ahmadi’s newest incisive look at identity and what it means to find yourself by running away.

Eighteen-year-old Amir Azadi always knew coming out to his Muslim family would be messy-he just didn’t think it would end in an airport interrogation room. But when faced with a failed relationship, bullies, and blackmail, running away to Rome is his only option. Right? At turns uplifting and devastating, How It All Blew Up is Arvin Ahmadi’s most powerful novel yet.

Sponsored by DC

Gotham City is torn apart by the war between Batman and the Joker. Ready to take it to the next level, The Joker recruits the flaming sword-wielding knight Azrael to create their version of heaven on Earth while exposing hidden Wayne family secrets. Batman and his estranged allies can stop them—but the distrust between them runs deep. Sean Murphy reimagines the Batman mythos in Batman: Curse of the White Knight. This hardcover collection features the groundbreaking series and the Batman: White Knight Presents Von Freeze one-shot written by Murphy and illustrated by legendary comics artist Klaus Janson.

Sponsored by Penguin Teen

Nina LaCour, the Printz Award–winning author of We Are Okay, delivers another emotional knockout; a modern ghost story about trauma and survival, chosen family and rebirth.

Mila is used to being alone.

Maybe that’s why she said yes. Yes, to a second chance. But, she hadn’t known about the ghosts.

Newly graduated from high school, Mila has aged out of the foster care system. So, when she’s offered a teaching job and a place to live, she immediately accepts. Maybe she will finally find a new home. The farm is a refuge, but it’s also haunted by the past.

Sponsored by Tor Books

To Sleep in a Sea of Stars is an epic new adventure from Christopher Paolini, #1 bestselling author of Eragon.

Kira Navárez dreamed of life on new worlds.

Now she’s awakened a nightmare.

During a routine planetary survey, Kira finds an ancient alien relic. But the elation of discovery turns to terror when first contacts gets…complicated.

As war erupts among the stars, Kira is launched into a galaxy-spanning odyssey and to the very limits of what it means to be human.

Earth and its colonies stand upon the brink of annihilation. Now, Kira might be humanity’s greatest hope…

Sponsored by DC

Arkham Asylum is home to many of the Batman’s worst enemies— including the most dangerous one of all: The Joker. No one has ever been able to break through the insanity of the Joker’s mind. Many have been broken themselves in the attempt. But Dr. Ben Arnell is sure that he will be the one to finally cure him. From the creative team of Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino comes Joker: Killer Smile, a terrifying tale of psychological horror that explores the madness within The Joker— and the family man who will risk it all to gaze into the abyss.

Sponsored by These Vengeful Hearts by Katherine Laurin, published by Inkyard Press

Whenever something scandalous happens at Heller High, the Red Court is the name on everyone’s lips. Its members deal out social ruin and favors in equal measure, their true identities known only by their leader: The Queen of Hearts.

Ember Williams has seen firsthand the damage the Red Court can do. Now, she’s determined to hold the organization accountable by taking it down from the inside. But will the cost of revenge be more than she’s willing to sacrifice?

Sponsored by Fly on the Wall by Remy Lai

“Bright, funny storytelling . . . in this sharp, sweet story there is much to connect with.” —The New York Times

In Fly on the Wall, a moving and hilarious diary-style illustrated novel from the award-winning author of Pie in the Sky, a twelve-year-old boy goes on a (forbidden) solo adventure halfway around the world to prove his independence to his overprotective family.

Filled with humor, heart, and hijinks, Fly on the Wall is a sure bet for fans of Jerry Craft, Terri Libenson, and Shannon Hale!

Sponsored by Evelyn Del Rey is Moving Away by Meg Medina and Sonia Sanchez

Evelyn Del Rey is Daniela’s best friend. They do everything together and even live in twin apartments across the street from each other: Daniela with her mami and hamster, and Evelyn with her mami, papi, and cat. But not after today—not after Evelyn moves away. Until then, the girls play amid the moving boxes until it’s time to say goodbye, making promises to keep in touch, because they know that their friendship will always be special. The tenderness of Meg Medina’s story about friendship and change is balanced by Sonia Sánchez’s colorful and vibrant depictions of the girls’ urban neighborhood.

Sponsored by Soho Teen

Adam Silvera’s New York Times bestselling debut is BACK(!) in a new Deluxe Edition featuring an introduction from New York Times bestseller Angie Thomas, a new final chapter that gives readers even more of Aaron Soto’s unforgettable story, and an afterword.

In this twisty, deeply moving debut, Bronx teen Aaron Soto’s life takes an unexpected turn when he falls for the new guy in the neighborhood, Thomas. Since Aaron can’t stay away from Thomas or turn off his newfound happiness, he considers undergoing a revolutionary memory-altering procedure to straighten himself out, even if it means forgetting who he truly is.