This is What Happy Looks Like, by Jennifer E. Smith

This is What Happy Looks Like follows the unfolding love story of two teenagers, Ellie and Graham. Their story is atypical though, because it begins accidentally when Graham sends an email to the wrong person. Ellie is the unintended received, and they strike up a conversation. They don't know anything about each other really, but before long feel more connected to each other than they do to anyone else. 

Given that Graham's an up-and-coming movie star, it's no surprise that he bites at the chance to film his next big job in Ellie's hometown in Maine. The problem is that Ellie has no idea the guy she's been spilling her guts to is THE Graham Larkin. On top of that, while Ellie's been more honest with Graham than she has been with anyone else, there's still a part of her past that she hasn't shared with anyone. It involves her father, and it makes a relationship with a high-profile movie star essentially impossible. 

Just like I loved The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, I also love This is What Happy Looks Like because of Smith's witty writing and lovable characters. I can't wait to recommend this book to my female students, especially those who have read all of Sarah Dessen's books and are ready to branch out. 

Also Try: Anything by Sarah Dessen; How to Save a Life, by Sara Zarr

Hollow City, by Ransom Riggs

I tried to read Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children several times when it first came out. I could never get into it - I think a large part of that was that the photos in the novel looked alarmingly similar to the images in the "American Horror Story" TV show commercials, and I was just too terrified to see the book through. I recently read (and LOVED!) it, though, since its sequel Hollow City came out.

Hollow City picks up right where Miss Peregrine's Home left off, and it's definitely one of those sequels that mandates reading the first installment first. Sometimes you can get away with skipping straight to the second book, but I don't think you'd be able to here.

Hollow City finds Jacob Portman, who used to think he was normal, suddenly bound to the group of "peculiars" that his late grandfather (read about that in the first novel) used to be a part of. Jacob and his new "friends" are determined to save their loop and their ymbryne (read: leader) from destruction and peril at the hands of the evil "wights". Secondary to this cause, Jacob also longs to learn more about his grandfather's life and death. This quest takes them from Wales to WWII London, hoping to find aid amidst the network of peculiars that they know is out there. I realize in reading my summary that it probably doesn't make a whole lot of sense - that's the thing about these books...you just have to read them!

There were lots of things I loved about Hollow City. First, like with Miss Peregrine, I actually grew to love the intriguing and (sometimes) disturbing photographs that accompanied the text. I thought it was such a cool concept and gave the book a really interesting feel. Next, I loved the blend of so many different genres that was going on in Hollow City. First, there's the sort of fantastical idea of children ("peculiars") with magical, mystical powers. Then, that was set against the historical backdrop of World War II Wales and London. Finally, there was this realistic aspect to the novel - Jacob's struggle between his newfound, adventurous life and his old, boring, but comfortable lifestyle with his parents.

Also Try: Freaks, by Kieran Larwood; Wonder Show, by Hannah Barnaby; The Wells Bequest, by Polly Shulman; and (obviously) Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, by Ransom Riggs, and apparently there's a book three in the works!!