In every YA thriller, there comes a moment when the main character has information that should absolutely be shared with an adult.

A threat.
A clue.
A body.
A message written in something that is hopefully not blood.

And every time, I find myself whispering:

Tell someone.

Please.

I am begging you.

Tell literally one responsible person with a working phone and access to a car.

But then I remember something.

In a lot of these stories, the adults don’t listen.

Or they listen too late.

Or they are suspiciously involved.

Which brings us to today’s question:

Would you tell an adult?

Here’s the setup:

Your friend has gone missing.

Before they disappeared, they sent you one message:

Don’t trust anyone.

Helpful? No.

Dramatic? Very.

Now you have three clues:

A photo you don’t remember taking.
A deleted message that somehow came back.
A name your friend circled in an old yearbook.

You could go to an adult.

But which adult?

A teacher?
A parent?
The police?
The school counselor?
The one neighbor who always watches everything from behind the curtain?

So… what do you do?

A) Tell the first adult you see and hope for the best.
B) Gather more evidence before saying anything.
C) Tell one trusted adult, but keep copies of everything.
D) Tell no one because you are now the detective, apparently.

Kim’s Very Scientific Thriller Verdict

If you picked A, your heart is in the right place. Your survival odds depend on whether this adult has common sense.

If you picked B, I understand the instinct. I also worry you are about to find clue number four in a very unsafe location.

If you picked C, excellent. Evidence, backup, and a trusted adult? You may make it to the sequel.

If you picked D, please step away from the corkboard and red string.

Why I Love This Kind of Setup

This is where YA thrillers can get painfully real.

The mystery might be fictional.

The missing friend, the creepy app, the ghost, the secret club — all of that might be invented.

But the fear underneath it?

That’s real.

The fear of not being believed.

The fear of making things worse.

The fear of betraying someone’s trust.

The fear that the person who should help you won’t.

That’s why these stories matter to me.

They give readers a way to practice brave questions before they need them in real life.

Because, to be honest, how many teens do you think would tell an adult or a trusted adult? I know I wouldn’t have when I was a teen. The fear of getting in trouble was so real for me at that age. It meant the end of the world when I was 16 to get caught or tell on a friend.

What about you? Was that the same for you?

The Real-Life Part

This is also part of what I love about The Brave Bookshelf.

Books can start conversations that feel too hard to begin out of nowhere.

A character can say, “I was scared to tell someone.”

And suddenly, a kid, teen, parent, teacher, librarian, or counselor has a door into that conversation.

Not a lecture.

Not an interrogation.

Just a story.

And sometimes stories make the scary thing a little easier to name.

So now I want to know:

Would you tell an adult?

Reply with A, B, C, or D.

And if your answer is, “It depends on the adult,” congratulations.

You understand YA thrillers and possibly life.

What I’m watching right now

This month, I’m watching House of the Dragon on Max, which means I’m back in my dragon era.

Again.

And apparently, nothing says “relaxing TV time” like family betrayal, political scheming, questionable marriages, and dragons casually solving problems with fire.

But it also got me thinking about George R. R. Martin’s world and how young so many of the characters are in the books. Daenerys is only thirteen when she marries Khal Drogo. Jon Snow is around fourteen when he goes to the Wall. Arya, Sansa, Bran, Robb — they’re all children or teens being pushed into adult decisions long before they’re ready.

And yes, this is fantasy.

There are dragons.
There are ancient houses.
There are people making terrible choices in very dramatic outfits.

But that part — children being treated like adults — does reflect something real about history.

For a long time, the idea of “being a teenager” the way we understand it now did not really exist. You were a child, and then you were expected to take on adult work, adult responsibilities, adult marriages, or adult consequences much earlier than we would ever accept today.

Which makes me think about how much has changed.

And also why we have to be careful when we say things like, “Well, when I was a teen…”

Because the truth is, teens today are growing up in a world we did not grow up in.

They have social media.
AI.
Group chats.
School shootings.
Online comparison.
A constant audience in their pockets.
And about 4,000 more ways to feel like they’re failing before breakfast.

So maybe we can remember what it felt like to be young.

But we can’t fully know what it feels like to be young right now.

We can only listen.

And maybe stop comparing their dragons to ours.

Warmly,
Kim

P.S. Next time, your phone gets a weird notification. And no, ignoring it will not make it less suspicious.

This week, the internet is once again making me want to throw my phone into a lake.

Not permanently.

Just long enough for it to think about what it’s done.

Because between filters, likes, comments, “perfect” bodies, and videos that seem to know exactly what makes teens feel awful about themselves, social media is starting to feel less like entertainment and more like a funhouse mirror with Wi-Fi.

So grab your coffee, tea, or emotional support bookmark.

It’s time for another Brave Bookshelf Dispatch.

📁 THE BRAVE BOOKSHELF CASE FILE

Case: When the scroll starts messing with how teens see themselves.

I found a review through the National Library of Medicine that looked at how social media affects adolescent body image and emotional well-being.

The review looked at 26 studies from the past five years, focusing on terms like social media, body image dissatisfaction, mental health, adolescents, eating disorders, and self-esteem.

And the findings were heartbreaking, but not surprising.

The studies found a strong link between frequent social media use and negative body image. Appearance-focused platforms like Instagram and TikTok can push unrealistic beauty standards, especially when teens start measuring themselves through likes, comments, and peer approval.

Both boys and girls reported body dissatisfaction, though most of the research focused on girls.

The review also connected frequent social media use with lower self-esteem, anxiety, depression, eating disorder risk, and a stronger drive for thinness.

So basically, the internet looked at teenagers — already full of feelings, hormones, self-doubt, and questionable sleep habits — and said:

“Would you like to compare yourself to 4,000 edited strangers before breakfast?”

Hard pass.

You can read the study here:

👉 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12437731/

💻 KIM VS. THE INTERNET

This week’s question:

When did mirrors become algorithms?

Because that’s what this feels like.

Teens are not just looking in the mirror anymore.

They’re looking at filtered faces.
Edited bodies.
Beauty trends.
Fitness trends.
“What I eat in a day” videos.
Comment sections full of strangers.
And algorithms that keep feeding them more of whatever makes them stop, stare, compare, and feel worse.

That’s the part that gets me.

It’s not just that teens are seeing unrealistic images.

It’s that the apps learn what holds their attention.

Even if what holds their attention is insecurity.

Even if it makes them anxious.
Even if it makes them feel too big, too small, too awkward, too different, too much, or not enough.

And as a mom, teacher, book reviewer, and YA author, I keep thinking about the kids who are quietly absorbing all of this.

The ones who don’t say anything.

The ones who laugh it off.

The ones who post the picture, delete it, repost it, check the likes, check the comments, and then pretend they’re fine.

This is why media literacy matters.

Not in a boring worksheet kind of way.

In a “please know this image was edited, this influencer is selling something, and your worth does not live in a comment section” kind of way.

We need to talk with kids about what they’re seeing.

Not shame them for being online.

Not panic every time they open an app.

But help them ask better questions:

Who made this?
Why am I seeing it?
Is this real?
Is this selling me something?
How do I feel after watching this?
Would I talk to a friend the way this post makes me talk to myself?

Because that last one matters.

A lot.

📚 BOOKS THAT START THE CONVERSATION

This week on The Brave Bookshelf, I’m talking about:

Drop Dead Famous by Jennifer Pearson

This one caught my attention because it takes fame, grief, sisterhood, murder, and the pressure of living under a spotlight and turns it into a YA mystery that feels very now.

The pitch alone hooked me:

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder meets a cultural moment like The Eras Tour gone horribly wrong.

After pop superstar Blair Baker is murdered just before her homecoming concert, her younger sister Stevie becomes determined to find out what really happened.

But fame is not as shiny up close.

As Stevie digs into Blair’s death, she gets pulled into the darker side of global fame, public image, secrets, grief, and the kind of attention that can turn dangerous fast.

What I liked most:

📖 The hook: A murdered pop star, a grieving younger sister, and a homecoming concert that turns into a crime scene? Yes, my mystery-loving brain immediately needed answers.

💛 The brave conversation: This book brings up questions about fame, public pressure, grief, sister bonds, and what happens when someone becomes more of an image than a person.

👀 Who might connect with it: Teens, mystery readers, pop culture fans, librarians, teachers, and anyone who likes twisty YA stories with messy family emotions and big public stakes.

🗣️ Question to ask after reading: How much of a famous person do we actually know — and what do we forget when we treat them like entertainment instead of a human being?

You can read my full review here:

🎤 NEW ON THE BRAVE BOOKSHELF

In case you missed it, here’s what’s new:

📚 Latest Review:

✍️ Coming Soon: More book reviews, brave conversations, and probably more evidence that I cannot be trusted near a bookstore.

You can catch up here:

👉The Brave Bookshelf

📅 AUTHOR EVENTS & BOOKISH NEWS

Blue Water Festival in Port Huron was cancelled due to the unhealthy air quality from the Canadian wildfires up North. If you haven’t seen what it’s been like up here in Michigan last week, we’ve been shrouded in a sickly orange color. Perfect for a horror novel setting, not so perfect for our lungs.

That orange round thing is the moon, I think. I couldn’t tell when I drove my son to work on Thursday. It may be the sun; I’m not sure. What do you think?

Upcoming Events

Date: Saturday, September 26

Time: 12:00–9:00 p.m. ET

Location: 200 West Nine Mile, Ferndale, Michigan

Event type: Art fair / author signing

More information: Funky Ferndale Art Fair

I’ll be attending Funky Ferndale Art Fair with other SCBWI members, where I’ll be selling and signing copies of Ask the Girl.

Funky Ferndale is known for its creative, lively art fair atmosphere, and I’m excited to be part of the bookish side of the fun. Come browse, shop, discover new artists and authors, and say hello.

Behind the scenes, I’m reading, reviewing, writing, podcasting, and trying not to let my inbox become a crime scene.

💬 YOUR TURN

Reply and tell me:

What part of social media do you think affects teens the most?

Filters?
Likes?
Comments?
Influencers?
Beauty trends?
Comparison?
The pressure to always be visible?

You can reply with just one word.

I’m nosy, but in a bookish way.

Until next time,

Kim

Author | Book Reviewer | Host of The Brave Bookshelf

P.S. What social media trend would make the creepiest YA thriller plot? I’m collecting ideas for completely normal author reasons.

There are certain phrases in YA thrillers that should make every reader nervous.

“I know a shortcut.”

“Don’t tell anyone.”

“I’ll explain later.”

And my personal favorite:

“You can trust me.”

Absolutely not.

No offense to fictional teenagers, but if someone says, “You can trust me” while standing in a dark hallway, holding a secret phone, and looking over their shoulder?

I’m already suspicious.

So today’s question is:

Would you trust the popular girl?

Here’s the setup:

There’s a girl at school everyone knows.

She’s pretty.
Smart.
Funny when she wants to be.
Terrifying when she doesn’t.

She knows who broke up.
Who cheated.
Who lied.
Who cried in the bathroom during lunch.
Who got called into the principal’s office.

She knows everything.

Then one day, she pulls you aside and says she needs your help.

She says someone is spreading lies.

She says someone is trying to ruin her.

She says you’re the only person she can trust.

Then she hands you a flash drive.

Because apparently we are making terrible choices today.

So… what do you do?

A) Take the flash drive because this is clearly your main character moment.
B) Ask why she picked you, because that feels important.
C) Refuse to get involved unless she tells you the truth first.
D) Take it, snoop, and immediately regret learning every secret in the school.

Kim’s Very Scientific Thriller Verdict

If you picked A, you are generous, helpful, and about to be framed.

If you picked B, beautiful. Suspicion looks good on you.

If you picked C, you may actually survive this book.

If you picked D, I respect the honesty. Not the choice. But the honesty.

I also did a poll, so be sure to check out what your fellow Thriller readers picked!

Why I Love This Kind of Setup

School thrillers work because the stakes feel personal.

You don’t need a mansion, a locked room, or a secret island.

Sometimes all you need is one cafeteria, one rumor, and one person who knows how to use silence like a weapon.

In books, the popular girl is not always the villain.

Sometimes she’s a victim.
Sometimes she’s protecting someone.
Sometimes she’s both.
Sometimes she’s three plot twists in a trench coat.

That’s what makes her interesting.

And dangerous.

The Real-Life Part

YA thrillers (and middle-grade thrillers) let us talk about social power in a way that feels dramatic, but also familiar.

Who gets believed?

Who gets protected?

Who gets blamed?

Who gets to tell the story?

For teens, reputation can feel huge. One rumor, one screenshot, one private moment shared without permission can change everything.

That’s why I love books that ask messy questions about friendship and trust.

Not every “nice” person is safe.

Not every “mean” person is the villain.

And sometimes the person with the most power is also the loneliest one in the room.

So now I need your answer.

Reply with A, B, C, or D and tell me whether you’d trust her.

Bonus points if you tell me the exact moment you’d start suspecting her.

What I’m Reading

This week, I’m reading the middle-grade novel The Ginghams by T.C. Kemper, (out on July 28, 2026), and it has me thinking about popularity, individualism, and how fitting in with the crowd isn’t always the best thing to do.

This book is apart of a book tour sponsored by Toppling Stacks Tours, and my stop and review will be on July 21. Be sure to check back in to read my thoughts on this quirky, creepy middle-grade novel and possibly win a copy of the book.

Warmly,
Kim

P.S. Next time, we’re asking the most stressful question in YA thrillers: would you tell an adult?

This week, the internet is once again making me side-eye my phone.

Which, as a YA thriller author, feels less like paranoia and more like professional development.

Between AI, social media algorithms, and apps that seem to know way too much about us, I keep thinking:

At what point does technology stop being helpful and start auditioning for villain of the year?

So grab your coffee, tea, or emotional support bookmark.

It’s time for another Brave Bookshelf Dispatch.

📁 THE BRAVE BOOKSHELF CASE FILE

Case: When “fake” online harm becomes very real.

This week’s internet story is a heavy one.

Canadian teens are reportedly facing criminal charges after using AI to create and share non-consensual sexualized images of their classmates.

“A pair of 14-year-old boys in Edmonton (Canada) have been charged for allegedly using artificial intelligence to create child exploitation images of their classmates.

Investigators allege the teens took photos of girls at their school without consent, in addition to obtaining photos of female classmates from their social media accounts, and then used AI software to sexualize the images.

The accused students have since been charged with making and possessing child sexual exploitation materials as well as voyeurism.”

—Wallis Snowdon, CBC News Jun 17, 2026 11:18 AM EDT | Last Updated: June 17

And yes, I know.

Every generation has had something adults worried about.

DnD. (Dungeons and Dragons)
Rock music.

But this feels different.

Because AI can create something that looks real.

And apps can push harmful content toward kids before they even know what they’re looking at.

That’s not just “kids being online.”

That’s a whole new kind of danger.

💻 KIM VS. THE INTERNET

This week’s question:

How do we teach teens that digital harm still counts as harm?

Because I think this is where adults sometimes get stuck.

We want to say, “It’s not real. It’s just AI.”

But if someone’s face is used without permission, if classmates see it, share it, laugh about it, whisper about it, or use it to humiliate someone…

That damage is real.

The fear is real.
The shame is real.
The consequences are real.

And for the kids making or sharing those images, the consequences can be very real too.

This is why conversations about digital safety can’t just be:

“Don’t talk to strangers online.”

That ship has sailed, hit an iceberg, and probably has a TikTok account now.

We need to talk about consent.

Not just in person.

Online too.

Who gets to use your image?
What should you do if someone sends you something harmful?
When do you get an adult involved?
Why is sharing it also part of the harm?

And because I write thrillers, my brain also goes here:

What happens when the app knows more than the parents?
What happens when the algorithm keeps feeding the worst stuff to kids?
What happens when “fake” becomes impossible to ignore?

This is the kind of fear that sneaks into stories like The Kill App.

Technology can give teens a place to be heard.

But it can also become a weapon when the wrong people use it badly.

And that’s the part that keeps my thriller brain busy.

📚 BOOKS THAT START THE CONVERSATION

This is also why I love books that give teens a safer place to talk about scary things.

A good YA story can open the door to questions like:

What does consent mean online?
What do you do when a friend crosses a line?
How do you speak up when everyone else is laughing?
Can something be “just a joke” if someone gets hurt?

Those are not easy questions.

But books can make them easier to ask.

And sometimes that’s where the bravest conversations begin.

🐺 WHAT I’M READING RIGHT NOW

Right now, I’m reading The Lure of Wolves and Whispers by Amanda Connolly, and so far, I’m loving this one.

It’s an Irish lore-inspired YA romantasy about one sister who offers her life in exchange for her sister’s life. You know a little like The Hunger Games.

So yes, we have:

🌫️ Whisperers (Magicians or Witches)
⚔️ Power struggles
💔 Sisterly sacrifice
🔥 Romantic tension
👑 Dangerous choices

Basically, everything my TBR pile uses to lure me into ignoring pulling the weeds out of my garden.

Amanda Connolly is an award-winning journalist, and I can already see how her background adds something extra to the politics, alliances, and power struggles in this story.

The book draws loose inspiration from ancient Irish lore, the extinction of wild wolves in Ireland, the Irish Viking Age, Christianization, and the legend of St. Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland.

Which means I went in expecting fantasy.

And now I’m also getting history, rebellion, danger, and the kind of atmosphere that makes me want to read just one more chapter.

Famous last words.

The book was released on July 7, 2026, and I’ve also published my review. Click below to find the book and read my review.

📖My Review:

🎤 NEW ON THE BRAVE BOOKSHELF

In case you missed it, here’s what’s been happening on The Brave Bookshelf:

📚 Latest Review:

✍️ Coming Soon: More book reviews, brave conversations, and probably more evidence that my TBR pile has become sentient.

You can catch up here:

👉 https://www.kimbartosch.com

📅 AUTHOR EVENTS & BOOKISH NEWS

Here’s what’s coming up:

📍The Blue Water Street Fair, Date: Friday, July 17, Time: 12:00–9:00 p.m. ET, Location: Downtown Port Huron, Michigan, More information: The Blue Water Fest

I’ll be at the Blue Water Street Fair during The Blue Water Fest in Downtown Port Huron with other SCBWI members and signing and selling copies of Ask the Girl. So stop by if you’re attending the festival. I’d love to chat about books, writing, YA mysteries, ghost stories, or your favorite “I swear this place is haunted” story.

And behind the scenes:

I’m still working on revising The Kill App (My editor asked for more rewrites aah! 😱) and began finishing up my young adult fantasy/thriller. I’m also reading, reviewing, podcasting, and pretending my inbox is not a haunted house.

It is.

It absolutely is.

💬 YOUR TURN

Reply and tell me:

What online issue do you think teens need more help talking about?

AI images?
Social media pressure?
Cyberbullying?
Privacy?
Group chats gone wrong?

You can reply with just one word. (i.e., AI, Social Media, Privacy, chats)

I’m nosy, but in a bookish way.

Until next time,

Kim

Author | Book Reviewer | Host of The Brave Bookshelf

P.S. What app, trend, or online habit would make the best YA thriller villain? I’m collecting ideas for completely normal author reasons.

I know the correct answer is simple.

Do not follow the ghost upstairs.

We all know this.

The movies know this.
The books know this.
The creepy music knows this.

And yet…

If I heard a whisper from a dark hallway, I would probably grab a flashlight, ignore every survival instinct God gave me, and call it “research.”

This is why I write spooky books, and I should not be left alone in old houses.

So today’s question is:

Would you follow the ghost upstairs?

Here’s the setup:

You’re home alone.

Mostly.

The house has been making weird noises all week.

At first, you blamed the pipes.

Then the furnace.

Then the cat.

Except you don’t have a cat.

Now the hallway light flickers every night at 10:31.

Your sister has been acting strange.

She stares at corners.
She answers questions no one asked.
She hums a song your grandmother swears she heard as a child.

Then one night, you see her standing at the bottom of the stairs.

She points up.

And from the dark hallway above you, a voice whispers your name.

So… what do you do?

A) Follow the ghost because obviously it wants to tell you something.
B) Research the house, the family, and every old newspaper article you can find.
C) Wake someone up and tell them exactly what happened.
D) Move out immediately and let the ghost enjoy the mortgage.

Kim’s Very Scientific Thriller Verdict

If you picked A, you are brave, nosy, and probably haunted by chapter five.

If you picked B, excellent work. You understand that libraries, archives, and newspaper clippings are where the good secrets live.

If you picked C, emotionally healthy choice. Rare in YA thrillers, but we love to see it.

If you picked D, honestly? Fair.

Sometimes the smartest person in the horror story is the one who says, “Nope,” grabs snacks, and leaves.

I also did a poll so you could see what your fellow thriller readers picked.

Love This Kind of Setup

This is one of the reasons I wrote Ask the Girl.

Lila knows something is wrong.

She knows her sister Rose isn’t just acting strange.

She knows there is something old and ghostly and dangerous hiding under the surface.

But knowing the truth and getting people to believe you are two very different problems.

And honestly?

That might be scarier than the ghost.

Because ghosts are terrifying, yes.

But not being believed when you’re trying to save someone you love?

That sticks with me.

The Real-Life Part

A lot of spooky stories are really about being heard.

Kids and teens notice things.

They notice when someone changes.
They notice when a friend pulls away.
They notice when something feels off.

But sometimes adults miss it.

Or explain it away.

Or say, “I’m sure it’s nothing.”

Books give us a way to ask:

What if it isn’t nothing?

What if the person everyone doubts is the only one paying attention?

What if the ghost isn’t the scariest part of the story?

So now I need to know.

Reply with A, B, C, or D and tell me whether you’d follow the ghost upstairs.

I promise not to judge.

Unless you picked A.

Then I will judge lovingly, from a safe distance, with snacks.

What I’m Reading

This week, I’m reading Metamorphosis: A Grove Hollow Novel by Shelby Nicole, and it has the kind of atmosphere that makes every creak in the house feel suspicious. It has creepy mansions, 80’s vibes, and falling in love with a Victorian ghost and having to make tough choices.

You know the kind.

The book where you look up from the page and suddenly your laundry pile looks like a Victorian ghost with unresolved family trauma.

Read my full review here as part of the Toppling Stacks Tours book tour, along with other amazing book bloggers and bookstagrammers.

So if your TBR pile is already glaring at you from across the room… I apologize in advance. Sort of. 😉

Warmly,
Kim

P.S. Next time, we’re talking about whether you’d trust the popular girl who says, “I swear, you can trust me.” Which, in thriller language, is basically a warning label.

Every other week, I’m going to try something a little different here on The Brave Bookshelf.

A little bookish.

A little behind-the-scenes.

A little “Kim vs. the Internet,” because apparently the internet wakes up every morning and says, How can I make this author suspicious today?

So welcome to the first Brave Bookshelf Dispatch.

Grab your coffee, tea, emotional support bookmark, or whatever is currently keeping you from yelling at your inbox.

📁 THE BRAVE BOOKSHELF CASE FILE

Case: Why scary stories sometimes make the safest conversations.

I’ve always loved books that let us look at hard things from a little distance.

Ghosts. Secrets. Murder mysteries. Creepy houses. Creepy apps. Creepy people who say, “I’m fine,” when they are absolutely not fine.

That’s one reason I started The Brave Bookshelf.

Children’s and YA books can give readers a way to talk about real life without feeling like they’re standing under a spotlight. Sometimes it’s easier to talk about grief through a ghost story. Or bullying through a thriller. Or feeling different through a character who finally finds someone who gets them.

That’s the kind of book I’m always looking for.

The kind that entertains us first — then sneaks up later and taps us on the shoulder.

💻 KIM VS. THE INTERNET

This week’s internet thing I’m side-eyeing:

Snapchat.

A recent investigation by the Heat Initiative found that Snapchat’s algorithm may be recommending graphic, sexualized, and violent content to minors — including accounts marked as 13-year-olds.

And I know every generation has its “kids these days” panic.

Comic books.
Rock music.
Horror movies.
Chat rooms.
TikTok dances that make my knees hurt just watching them.

But this feels different.

Because this isn’t just teens stumbling across something weird online. According to the report, the app may be pushing disturbing content toward them.

So the mom in me immediately went to my son and we scrolled through his followers and who he’s following, plus we watched his feed on Snapchat and there wasn’t anything inappropriate, only kids being silly. So, whew for now. I’ll keep monitoring this.

But my thriller-author brain thought:

Who decided this was okay?
Who benefits when kids keep scrolling?
And why does every “safe” platform eventually start sounding like the opening scene of a YA tech thriller?

This is exactly the kind of real-life fear that inspired parts of The Kill App.

Technology can be helpful. It can connect people. It can give teens a place to feel seen when they don’t feel safe saying things out loud.

But it can also turn dark fast.

Especially when the people using it are kids, and the people building it are chasing clicks, views, and attention.

That’s why I think books matter so much.

A good YA thriller lets teens ask scary questions in a safer place:

What happens when an app knows too much?
Who protects kids when adults don’t fully understand the technology?
When does “just scrolling” become something dangerous?

And maybe most important:

How do we teach kids to trust that uneasy little voice inside them that says, Something about this doesn’t feel right?

Because that voice matters.

Online.

In books.

And in real life.

Your turn: What app, trend, or online habit do you think would make the best YA thriller villain?

Reply and tell me. I’m nosy, but in a bookish way.

📚 BOOKS THAT START THE CONVERSATION

This week on The Brave Bookshelf, I’m talking about:

For the Greatest Good by Blair Hanson

This one caught my attention because it deals with clean water access, environmental injustice, poverty, queer identity, family estrangement, and morally messy choices in a way that gives readers a lot to sit with after they finish.

What I liked most:

📖 The hook: Gavin wants to save his town from a public health crisis, but the only way to get help may mean making choices that are anything but clean.

💛 The brave conversation: This book brings up big questions about who gets safe drinking water, why poor communities are often expected to endure what others would call an emergency, and what happens when doing the “right” thing starts hurting people along the way.

👀 Who might connect with it: Teens, parents, teachers, librarians, book clubs, and readers who like YA contemporary stories with social issues, small-town settings, LGBTQ+ representation, and characters who do not always make easy choices.

🗣️ Question to ask after reading: Is it still the right thing if you have to lie, manipulate, or hurt someone to make it happen?

You can read the full review here:

👉 https://www.kimbartosch.com/p/when-doing-the-right-thing-gets-messy?r=5a6umq

🎤 NEW ON THE BRAVE BOOKSHELF

In case you missed it, here’s what’s new:

🎧 Podcast: Hot New LGBTQ+ YA Releases 2026
📚 Book Review: Reality TV Turns Deadly in This Campy Dystopian Thriller: Book Review: “Survival Show” by Juno Dawson
✍️ Author Spotlight: Interview with Shelley Grandy highlighting her tips and tricks on writing, researching, and publishing her book Devious Web

I’m keeping everything in one place now, which means fewer internet breadcrumbs for you to follow and fewer tabs for me to lose.

Everyone wins.

Mostly.

📅 AUTHOR EVENTS & BOOKISH NEWS

Here’s where you can find me next:

📍Meadow Brook Writing Project at Oakland University

Date: July 8 and 15

I’ll be presenting “Haunted Pages: Writing Ghost Stories That Give Readers Goosebumps” to grades 6–8. If you want to have your preteen or teen writer join this writing camp, you can learn more here.

📍The Blue Water Festival

Date: Friday, July 17

Time: 12:00–9:00 p.m. ET

Location: Downtown Port Huron, Michigan

Event type: Festival / author signing

More information: The Blue Water Fest

I’ll be at the Blue Water Street Fair during The Blue Water Fest in Downtown Port Huron with other SCBWI members and signing and selling copies of Ask the Girl. So stop by if you’re attending the festival. I’d love to chat about books, writing, YA mysteries, ghost stories, or your favorite “I swear this place is haunted” story.

And behind the scenes, I’m currently working on:

🔪 The Kill App revisions
👻 More spooky bookish content
📚 A growing TBR pile that may require its own zip code

💬 YOUR TURN

Reply and tell me:

What kind of story helps you talk about hard things?

A ghost story?
A mystery?
A funny book?
A thriller where everyone is suspicious and no one should be trusted?

You can reply with just one word if you want:

Ghosts, Mystery, Funny, or Thriller.

I’m nosy, but in a bookish way.

Until next time,

Kim

Author | Book Reviewer | Host of The Brave Bookshelf

P.S. What app, trend, or internet thing do you think would make the best YA thriller villain? I have a notebook, and I’m not afraid to use it.

I like to think I’d survive a YA thriller.

I read them.
I write them.
I know the rules.

Do not follow strange noises.

Do not split up.

Do not say, “I’ll be right back,” unless you want dramatic background music to start playing.

And yet…

If a mysterious app showed up on my phone promising a private place to vent, rant, and anonymously unload every ugly feeling I’ve been carrying?

I’d like to say I would delete it.

But there’s also a very real chance I’d click on it while standing in my kitchen, drinking cold coffee, telling myself, “I’m just looking.”

Which, as we all know, is how the trouble starts.

So today’s question is:

Would you survive the app?

Here’s the setup:

You’re at school when your best friend shows you a new app everyone is suddenly whispering about.

No ads.
No creator listed.
No adult supervision.
No real names.

Just anonymous posts from kids who are angry, scared, embarrassed, heartbroken, or tired of pretending everything is fine.

At first, it feels harmless.

A digital scream pillow.

People complain about exes, fake friends, strict parents, cruel classmates, bad teachers, and all the things they wish they could say out loud but never would.

Then the posts start getting specific.

Too specific.

Someone writes about a bully.

The next day, that bully gets hurt.

Someone vents about a teacher.

That teacher disappears.

Then your phone buzzes with a notification:

Your turn.

So… what do you do?

A) Join immediately because curiosity is a lifestyle.

B) Ask who created the app before touching anything.

C) Screenshot everything and tell a trusted adult.

D) Pretend you are above the drama, then secretly check it from your friend’s phone.

Kim’s Very Scientific Thriller Verdict

If you picked A, I’m sorry, but you are absolutely chapter three material.

You are fun.
You are brave.
You are also the reason the rest of us are yelling, “DON’T CLICK THAT!” at the page.

If you picked B, you have promise.

You’re suspicious, which is good. Suspicion keeps people alive in YA thrillers. So does asking follow-up questions, backing away slowly, and not trusting apps with moody black icons.

If you picked C, congratulations.

You may survive long enough to find the second clue, expose the secret, and still have time to finish your homework.

If you picked D, you are chaotic, but useful.

You may not be the main character, but you are absolutely the friend who finds the screenshot that changes everything.

Why I love this kind of setup

This is the kind of question that kept poking at me while I was writing The Kill App.

What happens when a place that’s supposed to feel safe becomes dangerous?

What happens when teens use an app to say the things they’re too scared to say in real life?

And what happens when someone decides those private thoughts should have consequences?

Rae, the main character in The Kill App, joins an anonymous support app because she needs somewhere to put all the fear, anger, and survival mode she’s been carrying.

But when names from the app start turning up dead, she realizes the app isn’t just listening.

It’s choosing.

And once her own name rises to the top, Rae has to figure out who she can trust before the story writes an ending she can’t delete.

No pressure, right?

Just a normal teen problem.

Like homework, friendship drama, and a murder app with boundary issues.

I don’t write about apps because I think technology is evil. I write about apps because they’re where so much teen life happens now.

Nearly half of U.S. teens say they’re online almost constantly, according to Pew Research Center. That means friendship, fear, secrets, jokes, pressure, and drama often live in the same place: the phone.

The real-life part

One reason I love YA thrillers is because they let us talk about hard things without staring directly into the sun.

Fear.
Bullying.
Secrets.
Revenge.
Grief.
The pressure to stay quiet.
The danger of being ignored.

Sometimes scary stories give us a safer way to ask brave questions.

Who would I trust?

Would I speak up?

Would I notice the warning signs?

Would I be the person who clicks the app… or the person who says, “Wait. Something is wrong here.”

I’d love to know your answer.

Reply with A, B, C, or D and tell me whether you think you’d survive the app. I also included a poll so you can see how others voted.

No essay required.

Unless you want to confess that you, too, would click the suspicious link “just to see.”

I won’t judge.

Much.

Warmly,
Kim Bartosch

P.S. Next time, we may find out whether you’d survive being followed by a ghost who knows your family secrets. So, you know, something relaxing.

When a story is told through “you,” it asks the reader to step directly into the narrative—to become the main character. When it works, it can feel immediate, intimate, and emotionally powerful.

But what happens when it doesn’t?

In this episode of The Brave Bookshelf, I explore my experience reading One Word, Six Letters by Adib Khorram—a book that has received overwhelmingly positive reviews, but didn’t fully resonate with me as a reader.

This isn’t about labeling a book as good or bad. Instead, it’s about examining the deeply personal nature of reading—and how narrative style, especially second person POV, can shape our connection to a story.

When Second Person Creates Distance

While reading, I found myself struggling to stay immersed in the narrative. Rather than feeling like I was stepping into the character’s experience, it often felt as though the story was telling me what I should be thinking and feeling.

That distinction—between invitation and direction—became central to my experience.

To explore this further, I compare it to other second-person narratives that did resonate with me, including:

• All the Truth That’s in Me by Julie Berry

• The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin

In these works, the “you” voice felt more like an internal reflection—creating space for interpretation, emotion, and connection.

Why POV Matters More Than We Think

Second-person POV asks something unique of the reader. It doesn’t just ask you to observe—it asks you to identify.

And when that identification doesn’t quite click—whether due to voice, tone, or even personal relatability—it can shift the entire reading experience.

This episode explores:

• The strengths and challenges of second-person narration

• Why some “you” stories feel intimate while others feel distant

• How reader identity and experience may influence connection

• Why it’s okay for a book to be widely loved—and still not work for you

A Conversation Worth Having

Some of the most meaningful reading conversations don’t come from the books we love—but from the ones that challenge our expectations.

If you’ve ever felt out of sync with a popular book, this episode is an invitation to explore that experience with curiosity rather than judgment.

💬 Join the Conversation

Have you read a second-person POV book that truly worked for you—or didn’t?

I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Please comment below!

Giveaway

Thank you for joining me today. If you want any of the above books for your library. Please join my giveaway. USA only, and it will end April 30, 2026, at Midnight EST. I will either send a physical book or an ebook, depending on availability.

Enter Here!

January always feels a little loud to me, which is why my newsletter is going out in February. 😂

New year energy.
Fresh goals.
Big expectations.

And underneath it all? A low hum of anxiety — for kids, for adults, for anyone trying to “get it right” this time around.

So this month on The Brave Bookshelf, I leaned into stories instead of resolutions. Books that help us slow down, name the feelings, and remind us we’re not behind — we’re human.

🎙️ On the Brave Bookshelf podcast

January’s episodes have centered on anxiety — the kind that shows up when we’re trying to get a head start on the year.

We’ve talked about:

• Why January pressure can spike anxiety

• How kids often show worry through behavior, not words

• and how books open conversations without putting anyone on the spot

If you’re a parent, teacher, librarian, counselor, or just feeling that January knot yourself, these episodes are a gentle place to land.

👉 Listen here:

📚 Book Corner: what I’ve been reading in January

Here’s a peek at the books I’ve been diving into lately — all stories that sparked meaningful conversations on the podcast or over on the website.

🧠 Anxiety Spotlight
Little Monsters by Máire Roche
This one stood out for how thoughtfully it explores anxiety and big emotions through a lens kids can actually connect with. It opens the door to talking about fear, worry, and self-acceptance without ever feeling preachy. A great pick for kids who feel overwhelmed but don’t always have the words.

🔍 Dark & Thought-Provoking
Beth Is Dead by Katie Bernet
A haunting, layered story that lingers long after the last page. This one invites discussions about truth, grief, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive.

👻 Cozy with a Twist
Soul of a Gentleman Witch by David Ferraro
A charming, magical read with heart. Perfect for readers who enjoy whimsy paired with deeper themes of identity and belonging.

🗺️ Adventure & Faith
Titus and the Christian Coin: An Adventure of Faith and Freedom
by Dennis Conrad with Derinda Babcock
An engaging adventure that explores faith, courage, and choice in a way that encourages thoughtful discussion.

✍️ For the Writers in Our Community
The Compassionate Writer by Anne E. Beall, PhD
This one lives over on the blog — a thoughtful, affirming read about finding your voice and writing with empathy. It’s especially timely if your creative goals feel tangled up in self-doubt this month.

👉 You can find episodes, reviews, and resources for these books at:

Kim Bartosch and The Brave Bookshelf

Books, writing, and conversations that make us braver. I’m Kim Bartosch, author of "Ask the Girl" and founder of The Brave Bookshelf, where I explore children’s and YA books that tackle real-life topics with honesty and heart.

🧠 a brave takeaway

Here’s the reminder I keep coming back to this January:

You don’t need a perfect resolution.
You don’t need to rush your growth.
And you don’t need to quiet anxiety before you’re allowed to begin.

Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is sit with a story — and let it help us start the conversation.

Because you are here with me today, I’m giving away one (1) hardcover of “Beth is Dead” by Katie Bernet to one lucky reader! Enter here.

💬 let’s talk

I’d love to know:

Which book has helped you through an anxious season — or which one do you want to read next?

You can reply to this email. I read every message.

Thank you for being here and for making space for brave stories and honest conversations.

Happy reading and writing,
Kim

PS: If January felt heavy, you’re not doing it wrong. You’re doing it human — and there’s a book for that. 💛📚

You’ll hear:

• What grief looks like in kids (it’s not always tears)

• Why The Rabbit Listened is a powerful tool for emotional healing

• Practical ways to use grief books at home or in the classroom

• Gentle conversation starters

• A bonus booklist for kids and teens (picture books, middle grade, and YA)

Download free grief resources:

• Parent Handout

• Teacher SEL Guide

• Child Reflection Worksheet

• Full Grief Booklist PDF

Visit kimbartosch.com for all Brave Bookshelf tools, worksheets, and booklists.

Song credit: Still the Same by Christian Anderson https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/092f5a8b-9963-338b-bb57-e65437c9e530/

Disclaimer:

The Brave Bookshelf Podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are based on personal experience and independent research and do not constitute medical, psychological, or professional advice. Listening to this podcast does not establish a professional relationship. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider, therapist, or licensed professional with any questions regarding mental health, emotional well-being, or developmental concerns.

That’s where books come in.

This episode highlights the powerhouse workbook What to Do When You Worry Too Much by Dr. Dawn Huebner, a clinical psychologist with 30+ years of experience helping kids understand and manage big feelings. Kim explains why this book is so effective, how to use it at home or in the classroom, and how story-driven tools empower kids to talk about their worries in a safe and approachable way.

Kim also shares a carefully curated anxiety book list featuring:

• Scaredy Squirrel

• Wemberly Worried

• After the Fall

• Some Kind of Happiness

• The List of Unspeakable Fears

• Turtles All the Way Down

• I Wish You All the Best

Inside this episode, you’ll find:

• Practical anxiety strategies for adults

• Conversation questions for kids

• Tips for using books therapeutically

• A downloadable PDF book list in the show notes

If you’re a parent, teacher, librarian, counselor, or anyone who supports young readers, this episode offers a gentle, accessible guide to starting brave conversations about worry and emotional health.

Resources:

For all the resources mentioned in the episode, click here.

Music credit: Anxiety by Mindme from epidemicsound.com

DISCLAIMER:

The Brave Bookshelf Podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are based on personal experience and independent research and do not constitute medical, psychological, or professional advice. Listening to this podcast does not establish a professional relationship. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider, therapist, or licensed professional with any questions regarding mental health, emotional well-being, or developmental concerns.

Looking for that perfect mix of holiday cheer, meaningful stories, and lovable characters to cozy up with this winter? Whether you’re introducing your child to timeless classics or discovering new favorites, these five winter-themed and holiday books all carry heartfelt messages of inclusion, friendship, and the true meaning of the holidays. Some have been cherished for generations, while others are brand-new—but all of them will leave you and your child smiling long after the snow melts. Grab a blanket, pour some cocoa, and dive into these magical winter reads. ☕📚✨

Thank you to the authors and Simon & Schuster for the books and my honest review.

🧸 Winnie-the-Pooh & The House at Pooh Corner by A.A. Milne

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Celebrate the 100th anniversary of everyone’s favorite bear with this beautifully designed collector’s edition of Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner. With a soft, flocked cover and the original Ernest Shepard illustrations, this edition is both a sentimental keepsake and a joyful reading experience.

Winnie-the-Pooh’s adventures are filled with quiet wisdom, silly moments, and an abundance of heart. Whether it’s Piglet conquering his fears or Eeyore’s gloom being lifted by kindness, each story gently teaches lessons about understanding, inclusion, and how friendships, even the most unlikely ones, can bring warmth to the coldest days.

This edition is a must-have for collectors and readers of all ages. It’s timeless, and the Hundred Acre Wood remains a place where we can all feel like we belong—honey mishaps and all. 🍯💛

Preorder or buy it today: Amazon ~ B&N ~ Bookshop.org

🍬 Candy Corn Christmas by Jonathan Fenske

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Get ready to laugh out loud! Candy Corn Christmas is a wild, sweet, and utterly delightful mash-up that blends Halloween leftovers with the Christmas spirit. Who knew the most underrated Halloween candies had so much heart?

With Minion-style chaos, clever illustrations, and a fast-paced storyline, this book is a hit with both kids and adults. But under the humor is a sincere message: holidays are meant to be shared, and fitting in sometimes means redefining traditions and opening your arms to something new.

Perfect for read-aloud storytimes, this book offers tons of visual “easter eggs” in the illustrations—kids will want to revisit the pages just to discover new surprises. It’s a story about embracing your quirks and finding where you belong—even if it’s not where you originally expected. 🎄🍬💥

Buy it today: Amazon ~ B&N ~ Bookshop.org

☃️ The Snowman Code by the writer of Luca and Paddington 2

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Coming December 16, The Snowman Code is a new winter favorite in the making. With echoes of magic, gentle humor, and deep emotional resonance, this book is perfect for middle-grade readers ready for a cozy yet meaningful winter tale.

Blessing, a ten-and-a-half-year-old girl, feels isolated at school and home—her mother is battling seasonal depression, and bullies are keeping her away from school. Enter Albert Framlington, a six-hundred-year-old snowman with a code to live by and a heart of snow that’s somehow warmer than most humans’.

What follows is a moving and adventurous story of friendship, courage, and thawing both literal and emotional winters. Kids will root for this oddball duo as they try to bring spring—and hope—back into the world.

This one’s especially great for families looking to open up conversations about mental health, bullying, and resilience—all wrapped up in a fantastical, wintry package. ❄️👧☃️

Buy it today: Amazon ~ B&N ~ Bookshop.org

🐛 The Christmas Humbugs by Colleen & Michael Monroe

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½

What happens when the Christmas spirit is under attack… by tiny pranksters? The Christmas Humbugs brings the mischief and magic with playful rhymes and cheerful illustrations from a beloved Michigan-based author-illustrator duo.

The Humbugs are here to mess with the holidays—ripping stockings, breaking candy canes, and generally causing chaos. But ultimately, their antics can’t stand up to the power of joy, kindness, and festive cheer. It’s a great reminder that even when things go wrong (and don’t they always during the holidays?), the spirit of Christmas is stronger than any setback.

This book is a local gem, often recommended by schools in Michigan, and it’s easy to see why. It’s fun, clever, and full of little “hidden” illustrations that encourage curiosity and laughter. And if you love this one, don’t miss the companion book A Wish to Be a Christmas Tree, another heartwarming tale of inclusion and being seen. 🐛🎁🎄

Buy The Christmas Humbugs: Amazon ~ B&N

Buy A Wish to be a Christmas Tree: Amazon ~ B&N

🚂 The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

You can’t talk about holiday books without The Polar Express. For 40 years, this magical story has carried readers on a snowy train ride to the North Pole—and to the heart of what Christmas truly means.

This anniversary edition features even more stunning reproductions of Chris Van Allsburg’s iconic illustrations, bringing renewed life to a story that has become a tradition for generations of families. The tale of a young boy’s belief—and the bell only he can hear—is both enchanting and poignant.

At its core, The Polar Express is about believing in magic, in love, and in the unseen power of kindness. It’s a book that grows with your child, one that adults revisit with nostalgia and children embrace with wide-eyed wonder. Whether it’s your first ride or your fortieth, it’s always worth the trip. 🔔🚂🎅

Buy it today: Amazon ~ B&N ~ Bookshop.org

Final Thoughts 🎁

Whether you’re in the mood for classic tales, mischievous mayhem, or magical snowmen, each of these books delivers a warm dose of holiday cheer—and meaningful lessons that will stick with your child beyond the season. These stories remind us that the true magic of the holidays comes from friendship, love, and learning to welcome others—differences, flaws, and all.

Which one will you add to your holiday reading tradition? Let us know in the comments! ⛄📖💬

If you’d like to join my Substack and the discussion, please subscribe below; it’s FREE, and you can unsubscribe at any time:

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Gold Medal Winner for Best Horror / Ghost Story in the Global Book Awards 2025.

The Haunting of Hill House meets The Lovely Bones in this evocative and mind-bending psychological thriller about three teens drawn together by a long-buried secret.

Sixteen-year-old Lila Sadler knows something is terribly wrong with her sister. When no one believes her and every explanation falls short, Lila is left searching for answers on her own—answers tied to a girl from the past who refuses to be forgotten.

A century ago, Katy Watkins vanished under mysterious circumstances. With no memory of what truly happened to her, Katy has remained trapped between worlds—until the day she crosses paths with Lila and Rose.

Together, the three must confront painful truths and face what has been left undone.

Some secrets demand to be uncovered. Some truths demand forgiveness.

Where to buy:

• Amazon

• Barnes & Noble

• Bookshop.org

• Audiobook: Audible, Chirp
  

Subscribe now

I’m currently working on new YA and middle-grade projects, including fantasy and adventure. You’ll see behind-the-scenes peeks, early chapters, and works-in-progress here on Substack first.

Book Discovery & Deals

I also feature new releases, blog tours, interviews, and giveaways. I’ve run book reviews and spotlights for indie authors and small presses, plus I highlight discounted new releases for readers. You’ll still get that here.

If you’re an author or publicist and want your book considered for review or promotion, scroll down to “Contact.”