The Geek’s Guide to Unrequited Love by Sarvenaz Tash

Graham and Roxy have been best friends since he moved in next door eight years ago. They have been an inseparable team since Roxy looked over the fence and asked him which Hogwarts house he would be sorted into. Together, they create their own comic series and obsess on fan sites for their favorite comics, but Graham’s feelings are changing.

When Graham finds out that the creator of their favorite comic series, The Chronicles of Athena, is making a surprise appearance at New York Comic Con he must get tickets. It will be the perfect place to declare his love for Roxy and finally get the girl. But nothing goes as planned and he fears the perfect weekend will end in disaster. This funny, bittersweet look at love in geekdom will be a perfect read for all true nerds.

Recommended ages--12 and up

The Inventor’s Secret by Andrea Cremer

Charlotte has spent most of her life with other young refugees in some hidden caves on the edge of the British Industrial Empire. Together, they scavenge and take care of each other while waiting to be old enough to join the Resistance. However, when Charlotte rescues a strange boy who has lost his memory, she and her friends come to realize they need to join in the fight even before they come of age.

Set in a steampunk, alternate history, The Inventor’s Secret introduces a world where the Americans lost their war and Imperial Britain holds everyone in an iron grip. Steampunk technology and a floating New York City are some of the interesting inventions in this high adventure tale. With intriguing characters and entertaining world building, this is a promising start to a new steampunk trilogy.

Recommended ages--12 and up

See You in the Cosmos by Jack Cheng

Eleven-year-old Alex Petroski has a goal. He wants to build a rocket to launch his golden iPod into space. In the meantime, he is recording everything he can to show the other lifeforms in space what life on Earth is really like. As part of his quest, Alex heads out on a road trip. He catches a train with just his rocket and his dog, Carl Sagan, named after his astronomer hero. Along the way, life throws in some surprises and some unexpected friends.

Told in Alex’s endearing voice, See You in the Cosmos is a story both heartbreaking and hopeful. Alex’s hard life but cheerfully optimistic outlook will win the hearts of readers of all ages. His coming of age experience is unique, but the lessons he learns are universal. This is a perfect book for a read aloud or for tweens reading on their own.

Recommended ages--10 and up