Reminiscent of Rachel Cohn and David Levithan’s Naomi and Ely’s No Kiss List, Albertalli crafts a story that offers an honest and realistic look at high school relationships
A captivating mystery that will ensnare those who enjoy retellings and stories with a touch of magic.
This standalone novel ties fantastical elements, LGBTQIA themes, and climate change together into one neat package that will leave readers satisfied.
An LGBTQIA romance that is sweet yet predictable. An additional purchase.
This psychological thriller is sure to be popular with teens. A sapphic romance with elements of art, danger, and obsession, it is recommended for YA library collections.
Sweet and sincere, Charlie Vega’s journey is a delight.
A moving portrayal of a complex situation that will appeal to teenagers mature enough to read about school shootings.
An engaging read sure to appeal to fans of feminist dystopian novels, especially those with survival aspects, such as Rory Power’s Wilder Girls.
A stirring selection for any fantasy collection, this book will appeal to fans of Emily Carroll and Phillip Pullman.
A first purchase and a must-read. Prepare to be haunted and chilled to the bone by this exceptional story.
Teens love a mystery, and this one is definitely a page-turner.
Hand this to readers who prefer literary writing styles to character- or plot-driven narratives.
The plot of this queer fantasy is intriguing, but ultimately proves to be too much for one novel.
An earnest novel that misses its mark, this is an additional purchase for collections where Shusterman’s books already have an audience.
The stakes are incredibly high in this stunning conclusion to the duology. Highly recommended for all collections.
This humorous romance is recommended for teen collections.
This novel will appeal to readers of Ibi Zoboi’s American Street and Jason Reynolds’s Long Way Down.
A cerebral and pulse-pounding exploration of what it means to be human. Highly recommended for any library shelf.
A strong addition to high school libraries, as it gracefully handles mental health and demonstrates a strong, platonic friendship.
In this captivating tale, Bracken brings Greek mythology to life in a battle for ultimate power along with threads of friendship, feminism, and romance.
Recommended for public and high school libraries for readability and thoughtful examination of social identity and sexual orientation.
Though inconsistent, this novel may be a hit for geeky teens who want a quick, fun read. Recommended for middle school libraries.
A story of identity, belonging, and family, readers will thrill at this mystery set in 1400s Korea. A must for all collections.
Recommended for all collections, especially where theater is popular.
Hand this to fans of Elizabeth Acevedo and Tiffany D. Jackson.
Purchase Bajpai’s follow-up to A Match Made in Mehendi where there is a high demand for romance.
Pulling vibes from classic 1990s movies such as She’s All That and 10 Things I Hate About You, this campy and fun queer romance is a breath of fresh air.
Perfect for even casual fans, this novel is action-packed with adventure and mystery. With “Star Wars” interest at an all-time high, this is recommended for general purchase.
This #OwnVoices story of a gay senior’s tumultuous last semester takes Sky from despair to resilience as he realizes he has more support than he thought. Recommended for fans of David Levithan.
A strong portrayal of musical theater, ballet, the arts, and culture all merged into a coming-of-age story that will resonate with teens.
A fun and thought-provoking read for mid-size or larger collections.
This accessible, fast-moving story features a unique setting and a moving story of personal redemption. Recommended for high school collections in need of hi-lo materials.
A recommended purchase, especially where the first book is popular.
Readers looking to familiarize themselves with the Tulsa race massacre will find more love story than history lesson in this historical novel.
A fun, action-packed choice for striving middle and high school readers interested in science fiction.
The Printz Award announcement is just around the corner. In our final column of the season, Stacey Shapiro, a member of last year's Printz committee, considers the books that could take this year's award—and helped her get through 2020.
A solid magical thriller perfect for fans of witchcraft and slightly darker YA books.
This long-awaited addition to the series exceeds expectations
One school library's Graffiti Books program lets students connect and have "conversations" by writing in books. It also keeps some previously weeded titles in the stacks.
In time for Valentine’s Day, these teen love stories center friends, enemies, and strangers who become something more.
Centering on fat protagonists who defy societal expectations and reject narrow beauty norms, these YA novels work to combat the messages that fat bodies are unacceptable and undeserving of respect.
More time, less social pressure, and more flexible scheduling has helped some kids flourish.
Broadway lovers and musicians may enjoy the references to popular musicals and details about music composition. An additional purchase for libraries seeking to expand their romance offerings.
This #OwnVoices title brings laughs, relatability, and awareness of important issues. Recommended broadly.
The term graphic medicine was coined by Dr. Ian Williams—comics artist, physician, and editor of graphicmedicine.org—to “denote the role that comics can play in the study and delivery of healthcare.”
The post Graphic Medicine for Kids & Teens appeared first on Good Comics for Kids.
Four first-time YA authors tell SLJ about the inspirations behind their novels, their paths to publication, and their hopes for young people in 2021.
From a choose-your-own-path Romeo and Juliet to a Macbeth retelling that channels #MeToo, there's something here for all teen readers and fans of the Bard.
Dealing with a topic not often depicted in young adult literature, this makes a good addition to a collection, especially paired with the likes of Louise O’Neill’s Asking for It and Shannon Schuren’s The Virtue of Sin.
Recommended for Christian fiction fans.
An immersive, smartly written view into the mind of a young woman coping with her identity and trauma; a distinct perspective to add to the mental health fiction selection.
A fresh voice + a genderqueer teen + one Wicked musical + fighting against the establishment + first love = A page-turning YA debut. Recommended for all YA collections.
A fun thriller spotlighting a neurodivergent protagonist, appropriate for middle school readers.
For libraries where Preston’s previous works are popular.
Many readers will relate to Lona’s meandering journey and be delighted to find company for their own.
This realistic portrayal of a family in crisis sugarcoats nothing, but offers conditional hope for the future.
While the everyday queer romance is cute, Phoebe’s sarcasm won’t hold the attention of readers as they relive the tedium of her day-to-day life.
A spooky, satisfying mystery.
A pensive, rich work of queer historical fiction that will reward patient readers.
This will appeal to readers fond of light-hearted romances and titles like Tim Federle’s The Great American Whatever and Ciara Smyth’s The Falling in Love Montage.
A well-written book on an important topic that will appeal to a mature and discerning reader.
An additional purchase for collections where survival stories circulate well.
This boarding school story offers a heartfelt exploration of grief, guilt, and recovery. The complex, distinct characters and strong sense of place will give it wide appeal.
Filled with tender moments and subtle humor, this well-paced gem will have readers rooting for Karina and Ace as they stand up for themselves and for each other. A must-purchase for all teen collections.
A great spin-off series that should capture new readers and please established fans. Recommend to readers who enjoy Cassandra Clare or Holly Black.
This topical selection is highly recommended for those who maintain a hi-lo collection.
Readers seeking sci-fi with political, environmental, technological, and South Asian dimensions might overlook the shakier aspects and stick with this series.
Bowman sets high expectations and meets them in this standalone worthy of all YA shelves. An impeccably crafted dystopian full of beloved tropes and a generous helping of plot twists.
A unique verse novel that looks at how our past choices influence identity and sense of belonging.
A satisfying retelling, recommended for fans of the “Percy Jackson” series and adventurous, modernized fairy tales.
Price’s YA debut is a clever, twisting murder mystery adaptation that will keep both Austen fans and newcomers on their toes. This first book in the series will intrigue readers of Brittany Cavallaro’s A Study in Charlotte and Kerri Maniscalco’s Stalking Jack the Ripper.
This story will keep readers wondering who is behind the gossip while addressing important teen issues and proving how essential friendship is when dealing with difficult situations.
While the book has an interesting and somewhat original idea, the execution makes this hard to recommend for anything but large collections.
A Paris-set romance recommended for most middle school libraries.
An interesting premise falls short of its own potential. Suitable for adolescent readers who are new to the psychological thriller genre.
Hand this to readers who enjoy Leigh Bardugo and are looking for a similar fantasy world to dive into.
This nuanced work steeped in Islamic culture fills a gap in English-language literature. Readers who are unfamiliar with Arabic fiction will find their perspectives broadened.
A promising opener to an urban faerie fantasy series featuring multiple queer identities.
This #OwnVoices novel gives insight into living with these conditions, and readers will ponder how friendship means more than being “perfect.”
A breezy read about a serious topic, recommended for mature readers.
This darkly thrilling gothic fantasy will appeal to fans of Karen McManus and Maggie Stiefvater alike. A recommended purchase.
Those who pick up Saft’s debut will be richly rewarded on all counts
Alive with lush language and a dark fairy tale feel, this is a compelling readalike for lovers of Holly Black’s many wonderful fair folk standalones and series.
A thought-provoking tale on challenging the status quo on your own terms and going after your dreams; sure to be popular with all teens.
Recommended for most young adult collections, especially where Wibberley and Siegemund-Broka’s other contemporary romances are popular.
A charming novel that will appeal to teens looking for a love story.
A highly inclusive read with many characters identifying as LGBTQ+, this delightful foray into the world of high school relationships is a fantastic read for romance fans.
Fans of compelling realistic fiction like that of Courtney Summers will love Becca’s journey as they cheer for her to succeed against incredible odds.
An ambitious epic of the Spanish Inquisition seen through the eyes of a rebellious young woman whose Jewish family faces persecution and death.
articles