The Sacrifice by Rin Chupeco

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Pristine beaches, lush greenery, and perfect weather, the island of Kisapmata would be the vacation destination…if not for the curse. The Philippine locals speak of it in hushed voices and refuse to step foot on the island. They know the lives it has claimed. They won’t be next. A Hollywood film crew won’t be dissuaded. Legend claims a Dreamer god sleeps, waiting to grant unimaginable powers in exchange for eight sacrifices. The producers are determined to document the evidence. And they convince Alon, a local teen, to be their guide. Within minutes of… Read more.

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Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Racism
  • Domestic violence mentioned
  • Alcoholism & alcohol abuse
  • Death of a parent recounted
  • Murder
  • Gun violence
  • Plane crash mentioned
  • Colonialization & gentrification
  • Animal death mentioned (dog)
  • Animal hunting mentioned
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Brownstone by Samuel Teer & Mar Julia

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Almudena has always wondered about the dad she never met. Now, with her white mother headed on a once-in-a-lifetime trip without her, she’s left alone with her Guatemalan father for an entire summer. Xavier seems happy to see her, but he expects her to live in (and help fix up) his old, broken-down brownstone. And all along, she must navigate the language barrier of his rapid-fire Spanish—which she doesn’t speak. As Almudena tries to adjust to this new reality, she gets to know the residents of Xavier’s Latin American neighborhood. Each member of the… Read more.

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Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Racism & lesbophobia
  • Parental abandonment
  • Minor physical injury
  • Gentrification
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There’s Always Next Year by Leah Johnson and George M. Johnson

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Andy was supposed to shed her too-serious student journalist persona and reinvent herself on New Year’s Eve. Instead, she puked on her crush, dropped her phone in a fish tank, and managed to get her car stolen. Now, she only has the first day of the year to stop the gentrification that’s threatening her family’s business right her wrongs from the night before, and figure out why she feels so drawn to the electric new-girl-next-door. . How can Andy find her voice when everything’s being turned upside down? Dominique is an influencer on the verge of securing a major brand deal that will ensure his future and family legacy. But… Read more.

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Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Racism & classism
  • Gentrification
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Invisible Son by Keri Beevis

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Life can change in an instant. When you’re wrongfully accused of a crime. When a virus shuts everything down. When the girl you love moves on. Andre Jackson is determined to reclaim his identity. But returning from juvie doesn’t feel like coming home. His Portland, Oregon, neighborhood is rapidly gentrifying, and COVID-19 shuts down school before he can return. And Andre’s suspicions about his arrest for a crime he didn’t commit even taint his friendships. It’s as if his whole life has been erased. The one thing Andre is counting on is his relationship  with the Whitaker kids…. Read more.

Goodreads

Trigger & Content Warnings

Hate, Discrimination & Oppression
  • Racism (theme)
  • Racial slurs recounted
Sex & Sexual Violence

Abuse & Relationships

Mental Health & Suicide
  • Suicide mentioned
Alcohol & Drugs
  • Alcohol consumption mentioned
  • Smoking mentioned (cigarettes)
Pregnancy & Childbirth

Medical, Gore & Injury

Death & Loss

Violence & Crime
  • False incarceration of a minor
  • Police violence
    • The protagonist is tackled and held to the ground before his arrest.
    • The murder of George Floyd & Breonna Taylor happens off-page.
War & Genocide
  • Gentrification
Natural Disasters

Animal Death & Cruelty

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Reasons to Heal by Jenn Matthews

Reasons to Heal by Jenn Matthews

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When is it time to put yourself first for once? English police constable Molly Blue is devastated when an assault forces her to endure weeks of therapy and disrupts her promising career. The cute physiotherapist getting her back on her feet is an intriguing distraction at least. English police constable Molly Blue is devastated when an assault forces her to endure weeks of therapy and disrupts her promising career. The cute physiotherapist getting her back on her feet is an intriguing distraction at least. But when Molly takes a visit home, it rocks her to the core. She is forced to decide whether to stay and look after her… Read more.

GoodreadsThe Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Pregnancy mentioned
  • Miscarriage mentioned
  • Cancer mentioned
  • Gentrification
  • Animal death mentioned
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Like Home by Louisa Onomé

Like Home by Louisa Onomé

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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.

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Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Gentrification
  • Police violence
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The Prince of Broadway by Joanna Shupe

The Prince of Broadway by Joanna Shupe

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As the owner of the city’s most exclusive casino, Clayton Madden holds the fortunes of prominent families in the palms of his hands every night. There is one particular family he burns to ruin, however, one that has escaped his grasp… until now. Florence Greene is no one’s fool. She knows Clayton Madden is using her to ruin her prestigious family… and she’s using him right back. She plans to learn all she can from the mysterious casino owner—then open a casino of her own just for women. With revenge on his mind, Clay… Read more.

GoodreadsThe Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Gentrification
  • Death of a sibling
  • Police raid
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Lark and ​​Kasim Start a Revolution by Kacen Callender

Lark & ​​Kasim Start a Revolution by Kacen Callender

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Lark Winters wants to be a writer, and for now that means posting on their social media accounts––anything to build their platform. When former best friend Kasim accidentally posts a thread on Lark’s Twitter declaring his love for a secret, unrequited crush, Lark’s tweets are suddenly the talk of the school—and beyond. To protect Kasim, Lark decides to take the fall, pretending they accidentally posted the thread in reference to another classmate. It seems like a great idea: Lark gets closer to their crush… Read more.

GoodreadsThe Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Racism
  • Transmisia
  • Panic attacks
  • Depression
  • Suicidal ideation
  • Pandemic (Covid-19)
  • Bullying
  • Gentrification
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Can’t Resist Her by Kianna Alexander

Can’t Resist Her by Kianna Alexander

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After years away from home, Summer Graves is back in Austin, Texas, to accept a new teaching position. Of all the changes to the old neighbourhood, the most dispiriting one is the slated demolition of the high school her grandmother founded. There’s no way she can let developers destroy her memories and her family legacy. But the challenge stirs memories of another kind.

On the architectural team revitalizing the neighbourhood, hometown girl Aiko Holt is all about progress… Read more.

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Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Familial estrangement
  • Gentrification
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Room to Dream by Kelly Yang 

Room to Dream by Kelly Yang

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After years of hard work, Mia Tang finally gets to go on vacation with her family — to China! A total dream come true! Mia can’t wait to see all her cousins and grandparents again, especially her cousin Shen. As she roams around Beijing, witnessing some of the big changes China’s going through, Mia thinks about the changes in her own life, like . . . 1. Lupe’s taking classes at the high school! And Mia’s own plans to be a big writer are … Read more.

GoodreadsThe Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Racism & colourism
  • Gentrification
  • Bullying
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