rachel @ typed truths

Alex in Wonderland by Simon James Green

Alex in Wonderland by Simon James Green

In the town of Newsands, painfully shy Alex is abandoned by his two best friends for the summer. But he unexpectedly lands a part-time job at Wonderland, a run-down amusement arcade on the seafront, where he gets to know the other teen misfits who work there. Alex starts to come out of his shell, and even starts to develop feelings for co-worker Ben… who, as Alex’s bad luck would have it, has a girlfriend.

Then as debtors close in on Wonderland and mysterious, threatening notes start to appear, Alex and his new friends take it on themselves to save their declining employer. But, like everything in Wonderland, nothing is quite what it seems…

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings:

Alcohol consumption
Fire
Building collapse

All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M Johnson

All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson

In a series of personal essays, prominent journalist and LGBTQIA+ activist George M. Johnson explores his childhood, adolescence, and college years in New Jersey and Virginia. From the memories of getting his teeth kicked out by bullies at age five, to flea marketing with his loving grandmother, to his first sexual relationships, this young-adult memoir weaves together the trials and triumphs faced by Black queer boys.

Both a primer for teens eager to be allies as well as a reassuring testimony for young queer men of color, All Boys Aren’t Blue covers topics such as gender identity, toxic masculinity, brotherhood, family, structural marginalization, consent, and Black joy. Johnson’s emotionally frank style of writing will appeal directly to young adults.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings:

Racism, racial slurs & anti-Blackness
Homomisia & homomisic slurs
Transmisia
Incestuous child molestation &and sexual assault, on-page
Trauma
Physical assault
Blood depiction
Grief & loss depiction
Hospital
Cancer

The Ten Thousand Doors of January

The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow

In a sprawling mansion filled with peculiar treasures, January Scaller is a curiosity herself. As the ward of the wealthy Mr. Locke, she feels little different from the artifacts that decorate the halls: carefully maintained, largely ignored, and utterly out of place.

Then she finds a strange book. A book that carries the scent of other worlds, and tells a tale of secret doors, of love, adventure and danger. Each page turn reveals impossible truths about the world and January discovers a story increasingly entwined with her own.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings:

Racism & racial slurs
Misogyny
Child abuse
Parental abandonment
Self-injury
Death of a mother recounted
Torture
Forced institutionalization & abuse by medical professionals
Animal cruelty & abuse (off-page)

Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor

Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor

Born in New York, but living in Aba, Nigeria, twelve-year old Sunny is understandably a little lost. She is albino and thus, incredibly sensitive to the sun. All Sunny wants to do is be able to play football and get through another day of school without being bullied. But once she befriends Orlu and Chichi, Sunny is plunged in to the world of the Leopard People, where your worst defect becomes your greatest asset.

Together, Sunny, Orlu, Chichi and Sasha form the youngest ever Oha Coven. Their mission is to track down Black Hat Otokoto, the man responsible for kidnapping and maiming children. Will Sunny be able to overcome the killer with powers stronger than her own, or will the future she saw in the flames become reality?

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings:

Ableism & ableist slurs
Misogyny
Slavery
Child mutilation
Murder (multiple, on-page)
Bullying

Afterimage by Naomi Hughes

Afterimage by Naomi Hughes

Amidst controversy, conspiracy theories, and threats from government officials, Camryn longs for the truth. But the only person who she can turn to is a transparent boy in a lab coat named Quint. Unsure whether he’s a hallucination or a ghost, Camryn has no choice but to trust him as they become embroiled in a plot that is bigger than either of them realize.

In a race where the fabric of time and space is at stake, they must figure out who caused the explosion before the culprit comes back to finish Camryn―and her city―off for good.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings:

Panic Disorder & panic attacks
Explosion recounted

After the Shot Drops by Randy Ribay

After the Shot Drops by Randy Ribay

Bunny and Nasir have been best friends forever, but when Bunny accepts an athletic scholarship across town, Nasir feels betrayed. While Bunny tries to fit in with his new, privileged peers, Nasir spends more time with his cousin, Wallace, who is being evicted. Nasir can’t help but wonder why the neighborhood is falling over itself to help Bunny when Wallace is in trouble.

When Wallace makes a bet against Bunny, Nasir is faced with an impossible decision—maybe a dangerous one.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings:

Cheating
Alcohol consumption
Blood depiction & physical injuries
Gun violence

The Silence of Bones by June Hur

The Silence of Bones by June Hur

Homesick and orphaned sixteen-year-old Seol is living out the ancient curse: “May you live in interesting times.” Indentured to the police bureau, she’s been tasked with assisting a well-respected young inspector with the investigation into the politically charged murder of a noblewoman.

As they delve deeper into the dead woman’s secrets, Seol forms an unlikely bond of friendship with the inspector. But her loyalty is tested when he becomes the prime suspect, and Seol may be the only one capable of discovering what truly happened on the night of the murder. But in a land where silence and obedience are valued above all else, curiosity can be deadly.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings:

Religious persecution & hate crimes (central theme)
Misogyny & gendered slurs
Slut-shaming
Ableist language
Indentured servitude
Sexual assault (unwanted touching) mentioned (chp 9)
Suicide, attempted suicide & suicidal ideation recounted and discussed (multiple times)
Suicide from a fall mentioned (chp 1)
Suicide from hanging mentioned (chp 16)
Alcohol consumption mentioned
Pregnancy & childbirth mentioned
Death of a baby and infanticide recounted
Graphic blood & gore depiction
Graphic dead bodies and autopsy scene
Graphic physical injuries, illness & wound descriptions
Needles
Nonconsensual branding and resulting scars recounted
Grief & loss depiction
Death of a brother (on-page)
Death of a father recounted
Death of a mother recounted
Death of a sister recounted
Death from starvation & exposure to the cold mentioned
Murder & attempted murder
Regicide (off-page)
Torture (one on-page scene, otherwise discussed or recounted)
Kidnapping & hostage situation
Whipping mentioned (chp 3)
Police brutality and violence
Drowning mentioned & near-drowning incident
Animal attack (chp 2)
Animal injuries mentioned (chp 9)
Animal death, hunting, & animal butchering mentioned
Poverty themes

Hurricane Child by Kacen Callender

Hurricane Child by Kacen Callender

Being born during a hurricane is unlucky, and 12-year-old Caroline has had her share of bad luck lately. She’s hated and bullied by everyone in her small school on St. Thomas, a spirit only she can see won’t stop following her, and, worst of all, Caroline’s mother left home one day & never came back.

But when a new student named Kalinda arrives, Caroline’s luck begins to turn around. Kalinda, a solemn girl from Barbados with a special smile for everyone, becomes Caroline’s first and only friend — and maybe her first crush. Together, Caroline and Kalinda must set out in a hurricane to find Caroline’s missing mother — before Caroline loses her forever.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings:

Racism
Lesbomisia
Ableism & ableist language
Parental abandonment (theme)
Physical child abuse
Cheating recounted
Suicide attempt recounted (chp. 10)
Depression
Hospitalisation (on-page & recounted)
Bullying (on-page)
Near-drowning incident (chps. 1 & 11)

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Despite the tumour-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

Terminal cancer (theme)
Loss of vision (secondary character)
Medical treatments & procedures including hospitalisation
Death of a boyfriend

Against the Odds by Danielle Steel

Against All Odds by Danielle Steel

Kate Madison’s stylish boutique has been a big success in New York, supporting her and her four kids since her husband’s untimely death. Now, her children have grown up and are ready to forge lives of their own.

Isabelle, a dedicated attorney, falls for a client in a criminal case. She tells herself she can make a life with him – but can she? Julie, a young designer, meets a man who seems too good to be true. She gives up her job and moves to LA to be at his side, ignoring the danger signs. Justin is a struggling writer who pushes his partner for children before they’re financially or emotionally ready… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings:

Rape
Cheating
Spousal abuse
Drug use
Death of a husband recounted