Shelley Diaz

Tehlor Kay Mejia’s debut novel We Set the Dark on Fire is a fantasy based in contemporary issues: political turmoil, sexual identity, class inequality, immigration, even a border wall. She tells SLJ about world-building, revolution, and how rage inspired her first novel.

How do the dynamics of power shift when women are in charge? These YA novels—ranging from epic fantasy to contemporary thriller with a historical twist—tackle that question and more.

 The debut YA author talks about her path to publication, the “soupiness” of her characters, and what she’s working on next.

With the valuable input from our reviewers, we’ve chosen timely, relevant, and necessary titles that will resonate with the older teens in your libraries.

The day before the National Book Awards were announced, New York City middle- and high schoolers gathered at the 92nd Street Y to hear the finalists in the Young People’s Literature category.

Check out the recording of Acevedo’s 2018 SLJTeen Live! keynote, in which she talks about her path to publication, the importance of literacy and seeing yourself books, and more.