Zoey McKnight has already lost so much: her mother, her father, her uncle, and her cousin and best friend. She can't bear to lose their memory too. While attempting to relive their lives through the journals and artifacts left behind in her aunt's attic, Zoey finds herself starting an incredible and dangerous journey in a new world. With the help of a glowing sword and vague instructions from a scroll, she must assume the mantle of the Guardian of the Blade and destroy a great evil housed upon an island in this mysterious new land of Calcasia. Book 1 of the Adventures in Calcasia

in which a boy forgets how to breathe every time he sees her face. [ extended summary inside ] for all of these causes: #freeyourbody #bodypositivity #nomorebullying #stopbodyshaming #projectcharacter #helpfightcliches #weareteenqueens #breakstereotypes #projectacceptyou

People really only understand two things about Manhattan's own Brooklynn Hope: she's rich, and she hates being rich. No one cares to see her for the talented, sarcastic and insecure teenage girl she actually is. And only one person knows that she can sing. When her best friend since childhood, Max Witherson, lands her a shot at California's top performing arts school, Brooklynn sets off to make a new image for her name. Living out her dreams will only mean a little secrecy, a lot of competition, and three thousand miles between her and the only boy she's ever trusted. No problem, right? Big problem. Many problems. |Cliche Warning| |this book briefly deals with triggering subjects including: anxiety, traumatic injury, drugs, physical abuse, and death|

"For a place called Paradise City, this island sucks. I don't think a single day has gone by that I haven't thought about stabbing the shit out of myself," he said. "Especially since I'm forced to live with you every second of every day." "Sh. I'm trying to science," I said, not looking up from my binoculars. "See anything interesting?" "Not really. My vision's a little clouded from the fog and rain clouds you constantly emit." He laughed. "You never fail to amuse me, Rea." "But you just said-" "I just said you make me want to stab myself. Interpret that however you'd like." With a love for whales and all life (besides maybe humans), Reagan Winebrenner had never even seen an ocean until her senior year in high school. But the moment she saw her first humpback, she knew she had found her passion and future career. A few years later and an invitation to Paradise City in hand, Reagan has her entire summer laid out for her, working on the project of a lifetime. But with five other students completing their projects as well, will they discover something worthwhile, or will they end up a psychology lesson for future generations? A New Adult Watty Winner 2019