High School Nutmeg Nominees
Sign up to be a Nutmeg Reader HERE. Read the books, answer some quick questions, and earn badges. Click on the title of the book to access the quizzes. Can you collect all the badges?
The 9:09 Project by Mark H. Parsons
Jamison Deever is stuck. Every night at 9:09 p.m., he takes a photo as a way to capture moments he might otherwise miss – and to find some sense of control and meaning after the loss of his mother. As his project deepens, his lens reveals more than just images – it uncovers unexpected friendships, unspoken grief, and a glimpse of love, showing that what matters most is often unseen
For Lamb by Lesa Cline-Ransome
In 1930s Mississippi, Lamb, a sheltered African American teen, hesitantly befriends a white girl, with tragic repercussions for Lamb and her family.
Gather by Kenneth M. Cadow
When Ian finds a dog in the woods, he thinks life is finally getting better. He has his dog, his mom is recovering from addiction, and he has a steady income. Then tragedy strikes – pushing Ian to leave home and live in the wild with his loyal dog. Now, he must decide to stay lost or face his past.
The Girls I’ve Been by Tess Sharpe
Raised by a con artist mother, Nora O’Malley developed an unusual set of skills for a teenage girl. When violent bank robbers take her and her friends hostage, Nora has to draw on all her past experiences – including her dramatic getaway from her mom’s clutches – to pull off the ultimate con: escape.
The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes
Yamilet is a queer 16-year-old Mexican American girl navigating her new Catholic school while hiding her sexuality. She’s tackling family expectations, self-acceptance, and cultural identity, all while finding new friendships and love. Will she have the courage to embrace and share her authentic self with the world?
Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang & Leuyen Pham
After discovering a painful family secret, Valentina Tran loses faith in true love especially when Saint Valentine’s spirit reveals she’s cursed in romance. But at Lunar New Year, a lion dancer gives her a paper heart, sparking an undeniable connection with Jae, even as his charming cousin begins dating her.
The Silence that Binds Us by Joanna Ho
Timely themes of mental health, racism, and classism are explored with Maybelline Chen and her beloved and perfect brother, Danny. However, Danny secretly struggles with depression and dies by suicide. Racist accusations are hurled against May’s parents. May challenges these ugly stereotypes, but consequences of speaking out run much deeper than anyone could foresee.
Spin by Rebecca Caprara
Arachne embarks on a powerful, poetic journey of ambition, creativity, and resistance in this vibrant retelling of the Greek myth. Ostracized and finding strength through her weaving, she flees to Colophon after a tragic loss. Her talent attracts Athena, leading to a contest that exposes divine misdeeds and offers redemption.
The Spirit Bares its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White
A haunting tale of survival and identity set against a backdrop of supernatural intrigue, the story follows a young protagonist grappling with loss and the dark secrets of their community. As spirits awaken, truths emerge, challenging everything they believe.
Throwback by Maurene Goo
Sam and her mother Pricilla, a first-generation Korean immigrant, struggle to connect. When her grandmother falls ill, Sam is sent back to 1995, meeting her mother as a teen. With time running out, can she mend their relationship before her phone battery dies?