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Editors’ Picks: Young Adult
Dystopias, fantasies, queer romances, and more YA that adults can relate to.
Published on June 16, 2023
The Hate U Give
Angie ThomasThis is a stunning take on the topic of race and police brutality that has quickly climbed the ranks to take its place as one of the greatest YA novels of our time. Starr Carter will not stay silent in the face of injustice, and her message has been amplified thanks to the movie adaptation starring Amandla Stenberg. — Ashley M.
Graceling
Kristin CashoreKatsa, born with the skill to kill, has known nothing but life as the king’s thug. Despite being forced to use her gift (or rather, curse) to hunt down the king’s opponents, Katsa is determined to retain her mind as her own and serves on a secret council dedicated to keeping the peace as it watches over the seven kingdoms. “Graceling,” the first of the “Graceling Realm” series, has all the trappings of an epic YA fantasy: A slow burn romance, vivid worldbuilding, and a showdown between a kickass heroine and a genuinely terrifying villain. — Emma C.
Sadie: A Novel
Courtney SummersSadie has a stutter, a switchblade, and a will of steel. She’s determined to kill her sister’s murderer, and she won’t let anyone or anything get in her way. Sadie displays awe-inspiring conviction and tenacity. The audiobook version has rightly received immense praise for its full-cast production and dedication to reproducing the in-story podcast called “The Girls.” — Ashley M.
The Summer I Turned Pretty
Jenny HanTeenage crushes, summer houses at the beach — this book doesn’t disappoint. If you’re nostalgic for your teen years, complete with the awkwardness of a changing body, rampant hormones, and several crushes (along with the jealousy and mixed messages that come with the territory), this is your novel. Belly seemingly has three different love interests, until she ultimately ends up with her one true love. — Sarah S.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Benjamin Alire SáenzLives up to the elegance of its cover and mouthful of a title. A visceral reminder of how formative and raw our teenage years are, and the life-altering effects that happen when you meet that one person — your first love. — Regina E.
The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue
Mackenzi LeeForbes named Lee one of the top 30 “young, creative, and bold minds” of 2020, and Teen Vogue calls her rollicking YA novel, “The queer teen historical you didn’t know was missing from your life.” Sparks fly when two friends embark on an 18th-century European road trip, complete with a bisexual young lord, highwaymen, pirates, and magic. — Katie W.
When Dimple Met Rishi
Sandhya MenonThe summer before college (Stanford for Dimple and MIT for Rishi), the pair meet at a summer program for web developers, not knowing what their parents have in store for them. Dimple is a somewhat opinionated, unconventional pragmatist who is determined to succeed in her career ambitions, whereas Rishi is a go-with-the-flow romantic who values tradition, including an arranged marriage. Despite an initial setback, sparks fly, and their relationship develops into something more (but not marriage — at least not yet). — Sarah S.
More Happy Than Not
Adam SilveraSilvera’s debut is unforgettable, with its compelling characters, its deft depiction of class politics without relying on stereotypes and slang, and its message that hardship can help us find happiness. — Ashley M.
This Song Will Save Your Life: A Novel
Leila SalesDespite tackling many sobering issues like bullying and suicide, “The Song Will Save Your Life” delivers on the hopefulness of its title with plenty of heart, humor, and, of course, a cool track list. Elise Dembowski gets obsessed with DJing and nothing can stop her from getting behind the decks to throw a great dance party. The representation of a female DJ inspired me to pick up a DJ controller and learn, too. — Ashley M.
Weetzie Bat
Francesca Lia BlockThis beautifully offbeat novel deftly entwines a magical Los Angeles (aptly called Shangri-L.A.) with all-too-real issues of adulthood in the ’80s. Its poetic prose is sure to dazzle teen and adult readers alike. — Alex P.
The Diary of a Young Girl
Anne FrankTraditionally, memoirs don't have a place in YA, but there is a strong case to be made that Frank’s is a quintessential YA memoir. Although more known for its inside look at the horrors of the Holocaust, there is, at its core, a beautifully written book about a teen finding her identity in extreme adversity. — Andrea B.