Young Adult Fiction:
Break Us
Katherine Tegen Books
Fans of Pretty Little Liars, look no further for your new favorite chilling mystery: the Shade Me series by New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Brown. This last book in a popular trilogy is a nail-biting, not-to-be-missed finale that will leave readers breathless.
Nikki Kill doesn’t see the world in black and white. Her synesthesia shades everything in view, transforming numbers, words, and emotions into colorful clues. Which means she’s a dangerous commodity to anyone with something to hide.
Nikki has already taken on the Hollises—one of L.A.’s most powerful families—for murdering her half sister, Peyton. However, Nikki’s next steps are clouded by the gray of uncertainty. Before she knows it, Nikki is on the trail of a cold case that couldn’t be any more personal—the death of her mother.
But when the web of lies and secrets she uncovers leads back to the people who have tried to silence her, Nikki must pursue the sunbeam gold of justice, or everything—including her life—will be lost.
Dare You
Katherine Tegen Books
In the second book of the suspenseful Shade Me trilogy, Nikki Kill becomes embroiled in another mystery where only her synesthesia can help her unravel the dark truth.
Nikki Kill didn’t realize that trying to find out who killed Peyton Hollis would tangle her in a web of dangerous family secrets that would rock her identity to the core. But now that Nikki knows the truth, the all-powerful Hollises want to frame her for Peyton’s murder.
And now Nikki’s only chance at escaping the cold black bars of prison or the crimson grip of death is teaming up with the enigmatic Detective Martinez and relying on an ever-shifting kaleidoscope of clues….
Shade Me
Katherine Tegen Books
The first book in bestselling author Jennifer Brown’s thrilling suspense series for fans of Sara Shepard’s Pretty Little Liars, Shade Me is about a unique girl who becomes entangled in a mysterious crime and lured into a sexy but dangerous relationship with a boy who may be a suspect.
Nikki Kill has always been an outsider. Born with rare synesthesia, she sees the world differently. In Nikki’s eyes, happiness is pink, sadness is a mixture of brown and green, and lies are gray.
To Nikki, Peyton Hollis, the ultrarich it-girl at school, was seemingly untouchable. That is, until Peyton is violently attacked and the only phone number the hospital finds in Peyton’s cell is Nikki’s. Suddenly Nikki is pulled into Peyton’s glittering, fast-paced world as she tries to unravel an unfolding conspiracy.
As Nikki gets closer to the dark truth—and to Peyton’s gorgeous older brother—the only
thing she can be sure of is death is a deep, pulsing crimson.
“[SHADE ME] hits all the hallmarks of a traditional hardboiled mystery, full of dirty secrets and potential betrayals. Brown (Torn Away) skillfully uses Nikki’s condition to put a fresh spin on time-honored noir conventions.” -Publishers Weekly
Torn Away
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Born and raised in the Midwest, Jersey Cameron knows all about tornadoes. Or so she thinks. When her town is devastated by a twister, Jersey survives — but loses her mother, her young sister, and her home. As she struggles to overcome her grief, she’s sent to live with her only surviving relatives: first her biological father, then her estranged grandparents.
In an unfamiliar place, Jersey faces a reality she’s never considered before — one in which her mother wasn’t perfect, and neither were her grandparents, but they all loved her just the same. Together, they create a new definition of family. And that’s something no tornado can touch.
“Brown gives readers a true sense of the horror wrought by the storm and the agony of its aftermath; her ability to create rich, complex characters is once again in evidence…Jersey’s feelings are achingly real and relatable.” ~ Publishers Weekly
“Realistic depictions, from the whistling of the tornado to the regrets of words said, bring events to life. …satisfying.” ~ Library Media Connection
Hate List
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Five months ago, Valerie Leftman’s boyfriend, Nick, opened fire on their school cafeteria. Shot trying to stop him, Valerie inadvertently saves the life of a classmate, but is implicated in the shootings because of the list she helped create. A list of people and things they hated. The list her boyfriend used to pick his targets.
Now, after a summer of seclusion, Val is forced to confront her guilt as she returns to school to complete her senior year. Haunted by the memory of the boyfriend she still loves and navigating rocky relationships with her family, former friends and the girl whose life she saved, Val must come to grips with the tragedy that took place and her role in it, in order to make amends and move on with her life.
“Jennifer Brown’s Hate List is a compulsive read. Who and why do we hate? Deep, dark and sometimes uncomfortable, this thought-provoking book is a must read!” — Gail Giles, author of Right Behind You and What Happened to Cass McBride?
“Riveting debut…” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“…This is a startling, powerful, and poignant account of the incidents leading up to, immediately following, and continuing through the teen’s senior year of realization and recovery.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
“Authentic and relevant, this debut is one to top the charts.” — Kirkus
“After every school shooting unleashes a torrent of questions: what if, what next, why me? Val’s in the middle of the storm; her boyfriend pulled the trigger. Now, Val’s drowning in guilt, sadness, and confusion. If you’ve ever been torn up inside and feeling lost, find the time to read Hate List; you’ll love it.” Patrick Jones, author of Things Change and The Tear Collector
“Wow, oh, wow.” — Lisa Von Drasek, Early Word Kids
“‘Hate List’ is a powerful book that examines violence and bullying from different angles…” — The Register-Guard
“Brown walks a fine line and does it well. Here, she has created an excellent piece that parents should not be afraid of their teens reading.” — Deseret News
Bitter End
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
When Alex falls for the charming new boy at school, Cole–a handsome, funny sports star who adores her–she can’t believe she’s finally found her soulmate…someone who truly understands her and loves her for who she really is.
At first, Alex is blissfully happy. Sure, Cole seems a little jealous of her relationship with her close friend Zack, but what guy would want his girlfriend spending all her time with another boy? As the months pass, though, Alex can no longer ignore Cole’s small put-downs, pinches, and increasingly violent threats. As Alex struggles to come to terms with the sweet boyfriend she fell in love with and the boyfriend whose “love” she no longer recognizes, she is forced to choose–between her “true love” and herself.
“Brown demonstrates an expert ability to handle a difficult subject matter…The book’s power–and its value–comes from the honest portrayal of characters…” –Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Brown’s writing flows smoothly and naturally…the story Brown unfolds is one that shows how simple it is to judge the situation when one is not in the situation themselves. Bitter End is far from an average story about abusive teen relationships and will linger on readers’ minds long after the story is completed.” ~VOYA (starred review)
“A nuanced novel…Brown creates multifaceted characters as well as realistic, insightful descriptions of Alex’s emotions…a tough but important addition to the YA romance shelves.” ~Booklist
“Gritty and disturbing, this novel should be in all collections serving teens.” ~School Library Journal
“Realistic.” ~The New York Times
“Brown tackles another taboo but much-discussed topic with authority and authenticity…readers will be enthralled.” ~Kirkus
“Will be popular with female fans of realistic fiction…” ~Library Media Connection
Perfect Escape
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Kendra has always felt overshadowed by her older brother, Grayson, whose OCD forces him to live a life of carefully coordinated routines. The only way Kendra can stand out next to Grayson is to be perfect, and she has perfection down to an art — until a cheating scandal threatens her flawless reputation.
Behind the wheel of her car, with Grayson asleep beside her, Kendra decides to drive away from it all — with enough distance, maybe she’ll be able to figure everything out. But eventually Kendra must stop running and come to terms with herself, her brother, and her past.
“The stark honesty of Kendra’s feelings about living with a brother with a mental illness will touch readers, but it is Grayson’s responses that really set this apart as an unflinching and heartbreaking portrayal of the complexities of such a relationship.” –BCCB
“[A] road-trip novel with momentum and realistic characters that will have many teen readers hitching a ride.” — School Library Journal
“Kendra’s struggle to face her mistakes will resonate with many young adult readers…intelligent and compassionate.” — Library Media Connection
“Brown skillfully navigates the emotional complexities and psychological minefields of her characters and their relationship, treating OCD with delicacy without losing sight of the big picture.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Thousand Words
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Ashleigh’s boyfriend, Kaleb, is about to leave for college, and Ashleigh is worried that he’ll forget about her while he’s away. So at a legendary end-of-summer pool party, Ashleigh’s friends suggest she text him a picture of herself — sans swimsuit — to take with him. Before she can talk herself out of it, Ashleigh strides off to the bathroom, snaps a photo in the full-length mirror, and hits “send.”
But when Kaleb and Ashleigh go through a bad breakup, Kaleb takes revenge by forwarding the text to his baseball team. Soon the photo has gone viral, attracting the attention of the school board, the local police, and the media. As her friends and family try to distance themselves from the scandal, Ashleigh feels completely alone — until she meets Mack while serving her court-ordered community service. Not only does Mack offer a fresh chance at friendship, but he’s the one person in town who received the text of Ashleigh’s photo — and didn’t look.
Acclaimed author Jennifer Brown brings readers a gripping novel about honesty and betrayal, redemption and friendship, attraction and integrity, as Ashleigh finds that while a picture may be worth a thousand words…it doesn’t always tell the whole story.
Middle Grade Fiction
Life on Mars
Bloomsbury
A CCBC 2015 Choices selection for Fiction for Children
Twelve-year-old Arcturus Betelgeuse Chambers comes from a family of stargazers and his quest to find life on other planets is unstoppable.
But when Arty’s family announces they’re moving to Las Vegas, the City of Lights threatens to put an end to his stargazing dreams forever—especially when he has to stay with his scary next door neighbor while his parents look for a house. As it turns out, “Mr. Death” isn’t terrifying at all—he’s actually Cash Maddox, a bonafide astronaut! But when Cash falls ill, will Arty find the courage to complete his mission by himself? And might he actually prove, once and for all, that there is life on Mars?
For fans of Frank Cottrell Boyce’s Cosmic and Jack Gantos’s Dead End in Norvelt comes a heartwarming story of true friendship—earthly or otherwise.
How Lunchbox Jones Saved Me From Robots, Traitors, and Missy the Cruel
Bloomsbury
Luke Abbott’s school is the losing-est school in the history of losing. And that’s just fine for him. He’d rather be at home playing video games and avoiding his older brother Rob and the Greatest Betrayal of All Time.
But now he’s being forced to join the robotics team, where surely he’ll help uphold the school’s losing streak. He’ll also meet a colorful cast of characters, including: Mikayla, the girl who does everything with her toes; Jacob and Jacob, who aren’t twins but might as well be; the sunflower seed-obsessed Stuart; and Missy the Cruel, Luke’s innocent-looking bully since they were six-years-old. But it’s an unlikely connection with a mysterious boy known only as “Lunchbox Jones” that will change Luke’s life. Turns out, Luke and Lunchbox Jones have a lot more in common than just robots . . . .
With nonstop laughs and enough heart to make even a mechanical robot shed a tear, Jennifer Brown’s new book is poised to secure her status as a middle-grade author to know and read.
“A keenly-observed slice of middle-school life, told with plenty of humor and heart…and, okay, robots.” — Gordon Korman
Pennybaker School is Headed for Disaster
Bloomsbury
Thomas Fallgrout always thought of himself as a regular kid until the day he accidentally creates a little big of magic using his grandpa’s old potions. Suddenly, he’s pulled from public school and enrolled in Pennybaker Academy for the Uniquely Gifted, where kids are busy perfecting their chainsaw juggling, unicycling feats, and didgeridoo playing.
Pennybaker is full of spirit thanks to its most beloved teacher: the late, great Helen Heirmauser. The school has even erected a statue of her head on a pedestal. Then, life is uprooted when the statue goes missing — and everyone thinks Thomas is behind its disappearance. Now his head is on the line. As his new friends turn on him, Thomas finds himself pairing up with the only person who will associate with him: his oddball next door neighbor Chip Mason. Together they work to hunt down the missing statue . . . only to discover that maybe what they’ve both needed to find all along was true friendship.
Featuring black-and-white illustrations, this wildly fun first book kicks off a hilarious new middle-grade series from acclaimed author Jennifer Brown.
“A thoughtful look at judgment and friendship . . . A comedic intro twists into a nuanced exploration of character, with a detailed mystery. Give to readers who liked R.J. Palacio’s WONDER.” – School Library Journal
“No shortage of fun, and young readers will be encouraged to embrace their inner weirdness by the book’s end.” – BCCB
“Brown delivers a well-plotted mystery in this series opener, with plenty of red herrings and a satisfying resolution. But it’s the quirky humor and wild characters . . . that will stick with readers.” – Publishers Weekly
“Nonstop middle-grade humor.” – Kirkus Reviews
“Amusing for readers who enjoy Brown’s offbeat humor.” – Booklist
Pennybaker School is Revolting
Sixth-grader Thomas Fallgrout is finally settling in at Pennybaker School, home of student unicyclers, thespians, acrobats, and other classmates with unique and unusual gifts. After a bit of an unusual start to the school year, things are finally starting to seem normal. As normal as they ever could be at this decidedly unusual school, anyway. Until his Facts After the Fact (aka History) teacher Mr. Faboo goes missing, right in the middle of his favorite lesson of the year, leaving the class not a clue as to why or how. And his Four Square (aka Phys Ed) teacher introduces a new unit that is decidedly distressing. And Thomas’s neighbor, the formerly friendless Chip (he of the wacky sock collection), swoops in and bonds with all of Thomas’s friends, leaving Thomas in the dust. This year is getting out of control, and it’s up to Thomas to take matters into his own hands. It’s time… for a revolution.
Featuring black-and-white illustrations throughout, this wildly funny follow-up to Pennybaker School is Headed for Disaster is full of humor and wacky wit by acclaimed author Jennifer Brown.
Women’s Fiction
A Parkwood Mystery from Hallmark Publishing
Hollis and Daisy lovepodcasting about murder cases…But can they solve one?
Hollis Bisbee used to be a big-city crime reporter. Now, she’s a small-town journalist, and she’s bored. She and a young mom, talented baker Daisy Mueller, start the Knock ‘Em Dead podcast―”Where murder and muffins meet!” It’s all fun, games, and baking tips until murder comes to Parkwood.
After a brutal homecoming game loss, the coach of the rival football team is the victim of a hit-and-run in the high school parking lot. The entire town is on edge, and the star quarterback―who happens to be the police chief’s son―may just look the guiltiest of all.
With Hollis’s investigative skills and Daisy’s famous muffins…and in spite of the charming rookie police officer tasked with keeping Hollis out of the way…the podcasting duo sets out to solve their first real case.
This cozy mystery includes a killer free recipe for Daisy’s Cherry Chocolate Chunk Muffins.
Interested in more women’s fiction?
I also write women’s fiction under the name Jennifer Scott. Please check out my women’s fiction website www.jenniferscottauthor.com.
Jennifer Brown 