Source: Arlington High School MTCBA voting results as of September 15, 2026
Short Summary: This story is mostly based on a Black, autistic teen named Aiden that was trying to figure out what happened the night his older brother (brandon) was unjustly arrested. This is a, moving story about brotherhood, identity, and social justice, the fight against police brutality, racism and anti-Blackness, and ableism.
Read if you like themes of
BEST OF ALL WORLDS -Kenneth Oppel
Why to Read
Why Not to Read
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Written by the author of
The Rise and Fall of Charles Lindbergh
A closer look into the twisted mind of Jim Jones, and the story of Jonestown. Explains how Jones manipulated people to join his cause that eventually cost them their lives.
Death In The Jungle
by Candace Fleming
Summary:
In a world where each house has a different power, fire, wind, water and earth, Blaze Harglade is born in the court of fire while being an aquatori (controls water). After being hid from the court for 17 years, she is finally presented when it is discovered that she has been chosen by the gods to become the next aquari queen. From there on, she will have to face trials and to discover secrets about her kingdom and its history as well as to discover who she truly is.
Lesson:
Heir of Storms teaches us that power isn’t always beneficial to our lives. For example, Blaze had to live in isolation for 17 years because she was born with the power to flood the world.
Libertad
By: Bessie Flores Zaldívar
Summary
About a girl named Libertad who lives in Tegucigalpa during a time of political violence. In protest, she starts an account on instagram where she anonymously posts poems about politics. She goes through a journey of self acceptance while also using resilience in order to fight and stand up for herself.
Genre: Fiction
Read if you like…
Libertad should win the MTCBA award because it is very good coming of age story.
Summary
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Valentina Tran used to love valentines day; she was even named after it. However, after discovering a family secret, she realized that love is a lie. This is reinforced when she meets the spirit of Saint Valentine. Val has one year to find true love, or else she has to give her heart to him.
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Lunar New Year Love Story
Should it win the Mass Teen Choice Awards?
In my opinion, yes, it should! The storyline is amazing! It has many twists in the story that will leave you in shock!
Spacewalking with you
What is this book about?
This Thing of ours
Frederick Joseph
Read if you like:
Read this book if you like:
-Non-Fiction
-Mystery
-Historical events
-Survival stories
A World Without Summer by Nicholas Day