Kidlit – Page 76 – Trigger Warning Database

Notorious by Gordon Korman

Notorious by Gordon Korman

Keenan has lived all over the world but nowhere quite as strange as Centerlight Island, which is split between the United States and Canada. The only thing weirder than Centerlight itself is his neighbour Zarabeth, aka ZeeBee. ZeeBee is obsessed with the island’s history as a Prohibition-era smuggling route. She’s also convinced that her beloved dog, Barney, was murdered—something Keenan finds pretty hard to believe. Just about everyone on Centerlight is a suspect because everyone hated Barney, a huge dog—part mastiff, part rottweiler—notorious for terrorizing the,… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Home invasion, off-page
Animal death & dead bodies
Death of a pet dog

Like Home by Louisa Onomé

From Little Tokyo, with Love by Sarah Kuhn

If Rika’s life seems like the beginning of a familiar fairy tale–being an orphan with two bossy cousins and working away in her aunts’ business–she would be the first to reject that foolish notion. After all, she loves her family (even if her cousins were named after Disney characters), and with her biracial background, amazing judo skills and red-hot temper, she doesn’t quite fit the princess mold. All that changes the instant she locks eyes with Grace Kimura, America’s reigning rom-com sweetheart, during the Nikkei Week Festival. From there, Rika embarks on a madcap adventure of… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Racism, on-page & discussed
Colourism
Sexism
Ableism, off-page
Lesbomisia
Parental abandonment
Anxiety
Panic attack, on-page
Teen pregnancy recounted
Invasions of privacy (paparazzi)

Facing the Flame by Jackie French

Facing the Flame by Jackie French

There have been fires before, but not like this. In 1978, as the hot wind howls and the grass dries, all who live at Gibber’s Creek know their land can burn. But when you love your land, you fight for it. For Jed Kelly, an even more menacing danger looms: a man from her past determined to destroy her. Finding herself alone, trapped and desperate to save her unborn child, Jed’s only choice is to flee – into the flames.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Rape recounted
Sexual assault by a step-parent recounted
Death of a baby recounted
Bushfire
Animal death

Like Home by Louisa Onomé

Like Home by Louisa Onomé

Chinelo, or Nelo as her best friend Kate calls her, is all about her neighbourhood Ginger East. She loves its chill vibe, ride-or-die sense of community, and her memories of growing up there. Ginger East isn’t what it used to be, though. After a deadly incident at the local arcade, all her closest friends moved away, except for Kate. But as long as they have each other, Nelo’s good. Only, Kate’s parents’ corner store is vandalized, leaving Nelo shaken to her core. The police and the media are quick to point fingers, and soon more… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Gentrification
Police violence

The Undead Truth of Us by Britney Lewis

The Undead Truth of Us by Britney S. Lewis

Sixteen-year-old Zharie Young is absolutely certain her mother morphed into a zombie before her untimely death, but she can’t seem to figure out why. Why her mother died, why her aunt doesn’t want her around, why all her dreams seem suddenly, hopelessly out of reach? And why, ever since that day, she’s been seeing zombies everywhere. Then Bo moves into her apartment building―tall, skateboard in hand, freckles like stars, and an undeniable charm. Z wants nothing to do with him, but when he transforms into a half-zombie right before her eyes, something feels… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Self-harm
Body horror

Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix by Julie Dao

Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix by Julie C. Dao

Princess Jade has grown up in exile, hidden away in a monastery while her stepmother, the ruthless Xifeng, rules as empress of Feng Lu. But the empire is in distress and its people are sinking into poverty and despair. Even though Jade doesn’t want the crown, she knows she is the only one who can dethrone the empress and set the world right. Ready to reclaim her place as rightful heir, Jade embarks on a quest to raise the Dragon Lords and defeat Xifeng and the Serpent God once and for all. But will the same darkness that took Xifeng take Jade, too? Or will she … Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Blood depiction
Graphic murder

I Hate Everyone But You by Gaby Dunn and Allison Raskin

I Hate Everyone But You by Gaby Dunn and Allison Raskin

So begins a series of texts and emails sent between two best friends, Ava and Gen, as they head off to their first semesters of college on opposite sides of the country. From first loves to weird roommates, heartbreak, self-discovery, coming out and mental health, the two of them document every wild and awkward moment to each other. But as each changes and grows into her new life, will their friendship be able to survive the distance?

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Sexual assault
Anxiety
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Drug abuse

Hush by Dylan Farrow

Hush by Dylan Farrow

Seventeen-year-old Shae has led a seemingly quiet life, joking with her best friend Fiona, and chatting with Mads, the neighbourhood boy who always knows how to make her smile. All while secretly keeping her fears at bay… Of the disease that took her brother’s life. Of how her dreams seem to bleed into reality around her. Of a group of justice seekers called the Bards who claim to use the magic of Telling to keep her community safe. When her mother is murdered, she can no longer pretend. Not knowing who to trust, Shae journeys to unlock the truth, instead finding a new… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Medical experimentation
Death of a parent
Murder
Knife violence & stabbing
Fire

Just for Clicks by Kara McDowell

Just for Clicks by Kara McDowell

Twin sisters Claire & Poppy are accidental social media stars thanks to Mom going viral when they were babies. Now, as teens, they’re expected to contribute by building their own brand. Attending a NY fashion week and receiving fan mail is a blast. Fending off internet trolls and would-be kidnappers? Not so much. Poppy embraces it. Claire hates it. Will anybody accept her as “just Claire”? And what should Claire do about Mom’s old journals? The handwritten entries definitely don’t sound like Mom’s perfect blog persona. Worse, one of them divulges a secret that leaves Claire wondering what else in her life might be nothing but a sham . . .

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Attempted kidnapping
Cyberbullying

The Chance to Fly by Ali Stroker and Stacy Davidowitz

The Chance to Fly by Ali Stroker and Stacy Davidowitz

A middle grade novel about 14-year-old Nat Beacon, a Broadway super fan who happens to use a wheelchair, and the summer she overcomes fears to turn her fandom into stardom.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Ableism
Fire
Car accident mentioned
Animal death mentioned
Bullying mentioned