House Party

April 1, 2023
Teens use the last party of senior year to fulfill long-held dreams in this novel that features contributions from 10 acclaimed young adult authors. The most important event for the seniors of Florence Hills High School will be the party hosted by DeAndre Dixon, a wealthy African American teen who lives in a big house with a pool. Students from all the school's social groups will be there. Some have decided this will be the night they connect with a crush or reignite an old relationship. With no adults on the premises, the party, complete with a DJ and lots of alcohol, grows even bigger. As the evening progresses, a hidden relationship is revealed, a long-term friendship is nearly undone, and a band reunites for one last gig. The teens are also dealing with serious issues such as a parent with early-onset dementia, and not every student has material advantages. By the time the party breaks up, some have achieved their goals, others have found more important things to focus on, and new connections have been made. Each of the characters has a distinct voice. Social media posts and texts sprinkled throughout and the fast pace contribute to a sense of immediacy and excitement. More importantly, this diverse group of teens is realistically portrayed with heart and humor. A lively narrative that shows the power of friendship and connection. (cast of characters, maps, playlist) (Fiction. 13-18)

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May 1, 2023
Editor and contributor reynolds (It’s The End of the World and I’m in My Bathing Suit) brings together 10 authors, including Angeline Boulley, Lamar Giles, and Randy Ribay, to deliver an exuberant novel about an intersectionally diverse group of teenagers enjoying their last house party before graduation. The 10 POVs alternate between class clown Jrue, written by reynolds; Ryan La Sala’s wannabe rapper, Oscar; Christina Hammonds Reed’s popular girl Penny; and more as the teens attend classmate DeAndre Dixon’s end-of-year bash. Each character has a specific goal for the night: Jrue is hoping to kiss DeAndre’s ex-girlfriend Mia, while influencer Savoy and her friends stage a fashion show for her social media following, even as she struggles to hide a secret relationship from the other partygoers. A page-turning mashup of prose and rapid-fire text message chains, interspersed with b&w comics pages by Jerry Craft, present an alluring tale that unfolds over a single night. Despite the large cast, this energizing collaboration hits every plot beat without pause, skillfully capturing the thrill and possibility of an all-out house party populated by teens on the brink of big life changes. Ages 12–up.

Starred review from June 1, 2023
Grades 8-12 *Starred Review* DeAndre's parties are the stuff of legends, and this one in particular is a party that will go down in history. In this collection, 10 authors weave together stories that occur over the course of one night. Students across differing social and minority groups lend voices and stories to this collection. There are sweet stories of first kisses and of well-known tropes refashioned for people who have historically been silenced. There are secrets and explorations of loss and identity. Each of the contributors brings something fresh and necessary to the collection. Sometimes, books with multiple narrators can make a story feel crowded; a reader may find it hard to connect with all the characters. In this collection, however, all the narrators are necessary. Each voice feels distinct and fleshed out, and the reader finds that they are rooting for each and every one of them. This collection hosts a perfect amalgam of voices, giving space and agency to many different cultures and identities. This book is the perfect tool for harnessing empathy. It shows the world that no matter your identity or culture, you are still worthy of love, hope, and the promise of a good time.

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