From sports fiction to dark academia, these novels written for striving readers will appeal to teens with a variety of interests.

Trust No One by Karen Bass. Orca. ISBN 9781459842168.
Gr 7 Up–On a first date, new girl Abigail insists that Ben drive her to a nearby strip mall, where she produces a very realistic looking water pistol from her backpack and proceeds to knock off a liquor store. She then takes off on foot, leaving him to take the heat with his easily identifiable, muddy car. This novel by award-winning YA author Bass includes some brief romance and a sprinkling of coarse language, but the text is middle school– and high school–appropriate and is written at a second-grade reading level. VERDICT A relatable suburban adventure with accessible writing and cliff-hanger pacing, this is a hi-lo first purchase.

The Curse of Heartwood Academy by Marty Chan. Orca. ISBN 9781459841895. 
Gr 7 Up–Fifteen-year-old Allie Lau’s arrival at Heartwood Academy is anything but welcoming. Between a sleep-talking roommate and a cruel hazing ritual led by the wealthy, mean-spirited Pru Cotton, Allie wishes her parents hadn’t sent her to the mysterious boarding school. However, the real terror begins when Allie accidentally awakens an angry zombie in the surrounding woods. The prose is blunt and visceral, perfect for reluctant readers who want action without dense exposition. VERDICT A brisk page-turner for readers into the dark academia trend.

Busted by Jean Mills. Orca. ISBN 9781459840508. 
Gr 7 Up–This new title offers readers a glimpse into the dynamics of a youth hockey team. Jonah is a member of an elite team headed for the city tournament. League rules strictly forbid horseplay in the locker rooms, but when two team members engage in a playful fight and one gets hurt, all team members fear the horseplay will be discovered. VERDICT ­Although not a first purchase, this book is appropriate for libraries seeking to add to their ­high-interest, low-reading-level ­collections where sports-themed titles widely circulate.

Kat vs. Dogs by Jocelyn Shipley. Orca. ISBN 9781459843769. 
Gr 7 Up–Kat needs money for a car, so the 17-year-old is spending the summer working for her Aunt Grace, who owns a popular dog-supplies boutique named Best Friends. The only problem is that Kat has disliked dogs ever since she was attacked and bitten as a kid—the trauma of the incident still affects her. The book is less than 100 pages long, and the text is written at a mid-first-grade level, which will appeal to hesitant readers. Kate is cued as white. VERDICT Dog stories are widely popular and this one, with its accessible format, should be an easy pitch, even for less-enthusiastic readers. Recommended.

 Delta Oblivion by Elizabeth J.M Walker. Orca. ISBN 9781459841925.
Gr 7 Up–In the near future, mech battles—brutal fights between giant robots—make up one of the most popular sports in the world. Sixteen-year-old Tallie has been training to become a mechbot pilot at the famous Guardian Omega facility. Pilots work in pairs and must undergo a mind sync, a process that exposes all their memories and feelings to each other. Though Tallie has been hoping to pair with childhood friend Diego, she instead is placed with Zaina, a mysterious newcomer with a checkered past who keeps blocking her memories from Tal, sabotaging their training. VERDICT A technology-forward, futuristic story that holds friendship and empathy at the center, highly recommended for hi-lo or general collections.