novels books for young adults

Books | Best Sellers

Young adult hardcover - april 14, 2024.

This copy is for your personal, noncommercial use only.

• Young Adult Hardcover

21 weeks on the list

by Lauren Roberts

Simon & Schuster

Forbidden love is in the air when Paedyn, an Ordinary, and Kai, an Elite, become romantically involved.

• Apple Books
• Barnes and Noble
• Books-A-Million

41 weeks on the list

DIVINE RIVALS

by Rebecca Ross

Two young rival journalists find love through a magical connection.

14 weeks on the list

RUTHLESS VOWS

In the sequel to "Divine Rivals," Roman and Iris will risk their hearts and futures to change the tides of the war.

4 weeks on the list

THE PRISONER'S THRONE

by Holly Black

Little, Brown

An imprisoned Prince Oak must decide between his love and his kingdom.

by Christopher Paolini

Murtagh and his dragon, Thorn, must find and outwit a mysterious witch.

by Alex Aster

In this sequel to "Lightlark," Isla must chose between her two powerful lovers.

5 weeks on the list

WHERE THE DARK STANDS STILL

by A.B. Poranek

Margaret K. McElderry

Liska seeks the mythical fern flower to rid herself of her monstrous power.

HEARTLESS HUNTER

by Kristen Ciccarelli

Rune, a witch, and Gideon, a witch-hunter, fall in love.

2 weeks on the list

WHERE SLEEPING GIRLS LIE

by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

Feiwel & Friends

Sade Hussein attempts to unravel the mysteries of Alfred Nobel Academy after her roommate goes missing.

15 weeks on the list

BETTING ON YOU

by Lynn Painter

Charlie and Bailey place bets on the love lives of others, while fighting the feelings they have for each other.

The New York Times Book Review

She lied, cheated and stole. then she wrote a book about it..

In her buzzy memoir, “Sociopath,” Patric Gagne shows herself more committed to revel in her naughtiness than to demystify the condition.

Advertisement

Weekly Best Sellers Lists

• Combined Print & E-Book Fiction
• Hardcover Fiction
• Paperback Trade Fiction
• Combined Print & E-Book Nonfiction
• Hardcover Nonfiction
• Paperback Nonfiction
• Advice, How-To & Miscellaneous
• Children’s Middle Grade Hardcover
• Children’s Picture Books
• Children’s & Young Adult Series

Monthly Best Sellers Lists

28 entertaining and thought-provoking YA novels that even adults will love

When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

• Young adult fiction is written and marketed for teens from 13-18 years old.
• But adults love reading YA books too because they're important, accessible, and fun.
• Here are the best YA novels for adults, including " Clap When You Land " and " Six of Crows ."

For the first few years of my 20s, I kept it a secret that I still loved young adult books, fearing I'd be judged for enjoying stories with adolescent protagonists and problems. As I met more YA fans, I was genuinely thrilled to learn that I wasn't alone — that so many adults love YA stories because they're fun to read and tackle a variety of difficult or complex issues in remarkably accessible ways. 

Young adult books are written and marketed for teenagers, but span every subject and genre from fantasy to romance. As an adult, my favorite young adult novels are the ones that would have been a good influence on me when I was a teen, teaching me a lesson that I might not have learned in my own high school and broadening my understanding of real problems in the world. 

28 YA books adults will love:

A very relevant ya novel.

"The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas

"The Hate U Give" is a young adult novel that has started necessary discussions about race and police brutality in America. Starr Carter is in the passenger seat when Khalil, her best friend, is shot by a police officer during a traffic stop. The story makes national news, with outlets labeling Khalil a "thug" and "drug dealer" as protestors take to the streets to demand change. Starr, being the only witness, has millions of eyes on her as her community and the country wait to hear what she'll say about that night. This book is beloved for how vividly it depicts real situations, especially in the spotlight of the Black Lives Matter movement today.

Why it's great for adults: It depicts a sensitive subject in an honest way.

A painful but important YA read

"Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson

In this incredibly powerful story about strength in the face of trauma, Melinda is an outcast at her high school after she called the police during an end-of-school party. But the other students don't know she was sexually assaulted at that party, or that the person who hurt her is still at her school. Slowly, Melinda learns how to find her voice and fight for herself, making this novel not only a realistic depiction of how we process trauma, but also an inspiration to readers looking to speak up for themselves more. 

Why it's great for adults: It's a powerful story of learning to find your voice.

A classic World War II-era YA book

"The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak

This book takes place in 1939 Nazi Germany, where Liesel love of reading pushes her to steal books from Nazi book-burnings, personal libraries, and anywhere else. When Liesel's foster family hides a Jewish man in their basement, Liesel's understanding of the state of the world grows as the space she is allowed to occupy shrinks. This book is intense and was initially not published as YA fiction, but was quickly adopted by the genre due to the narrator's young perspective.

Why it's great for adults: It's a strong, untold Holocust-era story.

The YA story of a bittersweet bond

"Clap When You Land" by Elizabeth Acevedo

Camino is waiting for her father to land in the Dominican Republic when she learns that his plane has crashed — at the same time that Yaharia finds out that her father was killed on his flight from New York. The girls soon learn that their shared father kept their relationship as half-siblings hidden , bonding through the pain of loss and forgiveness. This book is heartfelt and often gut-wrenching, and if you love it like so many readers do, " The Poet X " and " With the Fire on High " are two others by Acevedo to pick up next. 

Why it's great for adults: It's hopeful in the face of a harsh reality.

A widely adored YA fantasy

"A Court of Thorns and Roses" by Sarah J Maas

Though sexier and grittier than many of its YA counterparts, this fantasy series (lovingly dubbed "ACOTAR") is one that's arguably been read by more adults than teens. This is a light "Beauty and the Beast" retelling, but Sarah J Maas takes the story far beyond the classic tale. While hunting a wolf, Feyre is captured by Tamlin, a faerie. Feyre adapts to her new home and captor,  but as her feelings grow, so does the looming threat of a wicked shadow that threatens the world of the Fae she now loves. 

Why it's great for adults: The irresistibly romantic storyline.

An intense YA sci-fi

"Ready Player One" by Ernest Cline

Sometimes, sci-fi or dystopian novels can get complicated to follow, but the world-building in "Ready Player One" is done in such a way that it's easy to imagine the characters and settings. Wade Watts — like many others — only feels alive when he's playing the virtual reality game OASIS. When the creator of OASIS dies, he leaves behind clues inside the game that lead to the ultimate prize: The inheritance of his fortune and control of the game. Set in 2045, this story is an intergalactic, dangerous scavenger hunt – and a page-turner throughout all of it.

Why it's great for adults: The nostalgic '80s references.

An emotional YA masterpiece

"The Stars and the Blackness Between Them" by Junauda Petrus

Though this book is by no means a fantasy story, it feels like there's whimsical magic sparkling between the pages. It's about two Black girls from very different backgrounds who are determined to find love and happiness in a world that wants to deny them both. Junauda Petrus manages to let us into the most intimate spaces of a soul as we watch this romantic relationship unfold. It's an emotionally intense favorite for so many adults and teens looking for a great novel centering on BIPOC and queer protagonists. 

Why it's great for adults: The magical descriptions that depict soulmate-level love.

A foster family YA story

"What I Carry" by Jennifer Longo

Muir is a teenager about to age out of the foster system, having spent her entire life packing light and not getting emotionally attached to anyone, anywhere, or anything. I loved this book as an adult because I wanted to reach out to Muir and tell her that she wasn't alone,  but instead got to read the story of her discovering that for herself, with plenty of great characters to help her along the way.

Why it's great for adults: The emotional depth of the main character feels relatable.

A well-loved YA underdog tale

"Wonder" by R. J. Palacio

This is one where you root for the main character so hard that by the time the end of the book comes around, the story is permanently part of your heart. "Wonder" tells the story of August, a 5th grader born with a facial difference, attending public school for the first time. It includes his classmates, his parents, his sister, and all the people around August that make his transition into elementary school one of trial and triumph. 

Why it's great for adults: The natural desire to protect August from the real world.

A contemporary novel that glows with Black, queer joy

"You Should See Me In A Crown" by Leah Johnson

Liz believes she's too much for her small town — too Black, too awkward, too poor — so her sights are set on Pennington College where she dreams of playing in the orchestra and becoming a doctor — until her financial aid falls through and her dreams fall apart. Liz remembers that her school offers scholarships to the prom king and queen, so even though prom is the last thing on Liz's mind, she'll do anything if it means getting out of Indiana. This book was hailed as one of the best YA contemporary novels of 2020.

Why it's great for adults: It's so much more than a typical teen love story.

A queer YA love story

"Autoboyography" by Christina Lauren

When Tanner's family moves, he decides to hide his bisexuality and coast through his high school graduation. But when his new friend Autumn dares him to take a prestigious class where he has to write a book in four months, he can't resist opening up. This novel tackles big topics of sexuality, identity, religion, and friendship, seamlessly weaving all these elements together. 

Why it's great for adults: The wise-beyond-their-years friendship between Tanner and Autumn.

A YA story of strong familial bonds

"Far From the Tree" by Robin Benway

If you're looking for a YA full of complex emotions, this book hits the nail on the head. Grace was adopted at birth, and after putting up her own child for adoption, goes looking for her biological family. She soon finds out that she's the middle child of two very different siblings, Maya and Joaquin. Joaquin's struggle with anger and distrust after spending 17 years in foster care is what made this novel really stand out to me because the author nurtures the emotions of her characters in such a unique way. 

Why it's great for adults: The thoughtful, thorough depiction of teenage struggles. 

A dark YA fantasy

"Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo

"Six of Crows" is a fast-paced fantasy heist novel where a band of criminal misfits works together to pull off a potentially deadly mission with irresistible rewards — if they don't kill each other first. It's a twisty story within an impeccably built fantasy world, making it an adventurous,  picturesque rainy day novel you won't be able to put down.  

Why it's great for adults: The motley crew of misfit characters.

A highly poetic YA novel

"The Sun Is Also A Star" by Nicola Yoon

According to the universe, every moment of our lives is carefully calculated with a million possible futures. But if you ask Natasha, life boils down to science and facts. Natasha's family is 12 hours from being deported when she meets Daniel, who is torn between following his dreams of being a poet and following his parents' expectations. I grabbed this at the bookstore and was so immediately engrossed by the story, I read the first 100 pages without realizing I was still standing in the aisle.

Why it's great for adults: The tackling of big life problems at a young age.

A YA tale of grief and hope

"The Astonishing Color of After" by Emily X. R. Pan

In this story of magic and mourning, Leigh is certain that when her mother died by suicide, she turned into a bird. Leigh travels to Taiwan for the first time to meet her mother's parents, connect to the parts of her mother she never knew, and find her mother as a bird. This novel is a magical and deep work of art, capturing the fog and the clarity that circulates when we grieve. 

Why it's great for adults: The beautiful depiction of grief and mourning.

A post-9/11 YA story

"A Very Large Expanse of Sea" by Tahereh Mafi

This book takes place one year after 9/11 and follows Shirin, a 16-year-old Muslim girl who is tired of enduring social, verbal, and even physical violence in reaction to her race and religion. Soon, Shirin meets Ocean James, who truly wants to get to know her despite their lives appearing worlds apart. This novel is raw and honest, something that's appreciated by readers especially when tackling difficult subjects like Islamophobia.

Why it's great for adults: The documentation of how the aftermath of 9/11 felt for Muslim Americans.

'The Grace Year'

"The Grace Year" by Kim Liggett

This is a YA survival story, reminiscent of both "The Hunger Games'' and "The Handmaid's Tale." In Garner Country, young women are banished for the 16th year of their life, marched into the woods, and abandoned so they may return pure and ready for marriage. No one talks about the grace year besides vague passing warnings of poachers, deadly elements, and the fear of hidden powers. This book reads like a fast-paced fever dream, where bravery and violence dominate a year of the protagonists' lives. 

Why it's great for adults: It's a badass feminist novel set in a dystopian world.

A YA story of self-discovery and love

"Felix Ever After" by Kacen Callender

This is a beautiful story of self-discovery, identity, and loving oneself. Felix has never been in love and fears he's too marginalized — Black, queer, and transgender — to ever find it. Felix finds himself in a complicated catfish/love-triangle situation when he decides to fight back against an anonymous online student who's sending him transphobic messages and posting his deadname online. This is a story you'll absolutely want more of as soon as you turn the final page. 

Why it's great for adults: Felix is a strong protagonist whose journey makes us so excited for him. 

An intersectional, wholesome romance

"The Henna Wars" by Adiba Jaigirdar

In a school competition to create their own businesses, Nishat and Flávia face off as rival henna artists. Nishat is frustrated after coming out to her parents and receiving a painful response — and now Flávia is appropriating her culture and stealing her sales. Nishat's journey is authentic because it's messy and imperfect — not every situation is magically handled correctly, and she second-guesses herself often. But it's a testament to trying to be better even when we struggle. 

Why it's great for adults: The complexity of the characters.

A YA sci-fi spin on a classic

"Cinder" by Marissa Meyer

The first book of a sci-fi retelling of "Cinderella," "Cinder" is a second-class cyborg mechanic in New Beijing hated by her stepmother, blamed for her stepsister's illness, and unaware that Earth's fate hinges on her. This is "Cinderella" meets "Sailor Moon," with a super interesting plot full of engaging characters. As a bonus, there are three follow-on retellings for when you inevitably fall in love with Marissa Meyer's style. 

Why it's great for adults: It's the badass version of a delicate princess story.

A difficult YA novel that comes with some trigger warnings

"Girl in Pieces" by Kathleen Glasgow

At age 17, Charlotte Davis has lost more people than many do in a lifetime. This is the story of putting yourself together while facing a world that's taken everything from you. There are some serious trigger warnings here about self-harm and addiction, but it's a painful and powerful novel of hope in the darkest moments of life.

Why it's great for adults: It addresses teenage mental health in an intimate way.

A modern classic we read in high school

"To Kill A Mockingbird" by Harper Lee

Though many of us were forced to read this in high school, picking it back up as an adult often garners greater appreciation for this modern classic. It's a young girl's coming-of-age story through a world saturated by prejudice as her father defends a Black man unjustly accused of a horrible crime. Harper Lee's writing honors a difficult time in history, one that is important and still relevant.

Why it's great for adults: We can now understand how important it was to read this book when we were younger.

A cult YA favorite

"The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky

This is a coming-of-age tale that fully encapsulates all the glory and awkwardness that is high school. It's a quick read, but manages to have something everyone can relate to. Charlie, the main character,  is astutely observant, a lifelong "wallflower" just trying to navigate high school with fantastic commentary that will leave adult readers nostalgic for even the most uncomfortable teenage years. 

Why it's great for adults: The throwbacks to high school.

A 50-year-old YA classic

"The Outsiders" by S. E. Hinton

"The Outsiders" is a classic YA novel that is dramatic, inspirational, and has shaped the expectations for modern YA stories. Ponyboy knows he can count on a few things in this life: His brothers, his friends, and the gang of rich kids that will always beat up kids like him. When someone takes things too far one night, this novel takes a turn. It changed young adult fiction from portraying perfect worlds with small, high school-level problems like making the football team or being voted prom queen, to embracing big, life-altering problems that are sometimes dark but very real.

Why it's great for adults: It's a classic that forever changed the YA genre.

A siren YA fantasy

"A Song Below Water" by Bethany C. Morrow

"A Song Below Water" is a modern fantasy about mythical Black sirens who face racism and sexism. Tavia is hiding her siren powers and Effie is battling literal demons from her past as the two best friends navigate their junior year of high school. In the aftermath of a siren murder trial, Tavia is accidentally discovered as a siren herself. Suddenly, nowhere seems safe — the only thing that can protect the girls is their sisterhood. With the backdrop of today's world, this YA fantasy tackles social issues by blending them with magic.

Why it's great for adults: It's an imaginative look at very real social problems.

A Mexican-American-centered YA book

"Aristotle and Dante Discover The Secrets of the Universe" by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Exploring family and friendship, this novel features two Mexican-American teens, Aristotle and Dante, who are very different people with very different views of the world. They're each loners in their own ways, yet find lasting friendship and help each other discover their true identities. Throughout the novel, Aristotle and Dante become progressively more complex, creating a breathtaking story that might have you shedding a tear at the end.

Why it's great for adults: You'll fall in love with the writing style and unique characters.

A YA you can binge in one sitting

"They Both Die At The End" by Adam Silvera

Fair warning: Don't pick this one up until you are ready to read an entire book in one sitting — you won't be able to put it down once you start. It takes place over a single day, where just after midnight, Death-Cast calls both Mateo and Rufus to let them know they will die today. Total strangers, Mateo and Rufus find each other on the "Last Friend" app, specially made to connect people on their last day alive. 

Why it's great for adults: It's a satisfying, cry-worthy story of connection.

A quirky, queer YA romance

"Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda" by Becky Albertalli

In the first of Albertalli's "Simonverse" books, we meet Simon, who is still in the closet — except for corresponding with a mystery boy from his school through flirty and exposing emails. One of these emails falls into the wrong hands, and Simon finds himself being blackmailed while trying to navigate coming out of the closet before he's shoved out. It's a wonderful, geeky, romantic YA where it's easy to fall in love with Simon, his family, and his friends. 

Why it's great for adults: It's an emotionally mature handling of adolescent feelings.

• Main content

The 100 Best YA Books of All Time

With a panel of celebrated authors—Elizabeth Acevedo, Kacen Callender, Jenny Han, Jason Reynolds, Adam Silvera, Angie Thomas and Nicola Yoon—TIME presents the most compelling, enlightening and influential young-adult books, in chronological order beginning in the 1800s

Jason Reynolds: YA Books Make Us Feel Safe to Be Who We Really Are

Little Women

By louisa may alcott.

Anne of Green Gables

By l. m. montgomery.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

By betty smith.

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl

By anne frank.

The Catcher in the Rye

By j.d. salinger.

Lord of the Flies

By william golding.

To Kill a Mockingbird

By harper lee.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

By e.l. konigsburg.

A Wizard of Earthsea

By ursula k. le guin.

I'll Get There. It Better Be Worth the Trip

By john donovan.

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.

By judy blume.

A Hero Ain’t Nothin’ but a Sandwich

By alice childress.

Tuck Everlasting

By natalie babbitt.

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

By mildred d. taylor.

A Swiftly Tilting Planet

By madeleine l'engle.

The Westing Game

By ellen raskin.

by Cynthia Voigt

The House on Mango Street

By sandra cisneros.

Weetzie Bat

By francesca lia block.

by Lois Lowry

Ella Enchanted

By gail carson levine.

by Louis Sachar

If You Come Softly

By jacqueline woodson.

Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging

By louise rennison.

by Walter Dean Myers

by Laurie Halse Anderson

by Jerry Spinelli

The Princess Diaries

By meg cabot.

A Step from Heaven

Rainbow Boys

By alex sanchez.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

By ann brashares.

Before We Were Free

By julia alvarez.

by M.T. Anderson

by Marjane Satrapi

How I Live Now

By meg rosoff.

Code Talker

By joseph bruchac.

by Gabrielle Zevin

The Book Thief

By markus zusak.

The Lightning Thief

By rick riordan.

American Born Chinese

By gene luen yang.

by Sharon Draper

by Coe Booth

by Kristin Cashore

The Hunger Games

By suzanne collins.

Ship Breaker

By paolo bacigalupi.

Akata Witch

By nnedi okorafor.

Daughter of Smoke & Bone

By laini taylor.

by Marie Lu

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

By benjamin alire sáenz.

Code Name Verity

By elizabeth wein.

by David Levithan

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

By jesse andrews.

The Fault in Our Stars

By john green.

If You Could Be Mine

By sara farizan.

March: Book One

By john lewis and andrew aydin, illustrated by nate powell.

Brown Girl Dreaming

I'll Give You the Sun

By jandy nelson.

by John Corey Whaley

The Crossover

By kwame alexander.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before

By jenny han.

An Ember in the Ashes

By sabaa tahir.

by Julie Murphy

Everything, Everything

By nicola yoon.

March: Book Two

More Happy Than Not

By adam silvera.

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

By becky albertalli.

Six of Crows

By leigh bardugo.

Salt to the Sea

By ruta sepetys.

by Neal Shusterman

The Sun Is Also a Star

We Are the Ants

By shaun david hutchinson.

When the Moon Was Ours

By anna-marie mclemore.

by Tiffany D. Jackson

American Street

By ibi zoboi.

Dear Martin

By nic stone.

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter

By erika l. sánchez.

Long Way Down

By jason reynolds.

by Dashka Slater

The Hate U Give

By angie thomas.

The Marrow Thieves

By cherie dimaline.

We Are Okay

By nina lacour.

When Dimple Met Rishi

By sandhya menon.

A Very Large Expanse of Sea

By tahereh mafi.

Children of Blood and Bone

By tomi adeyemi.

Darius the Great Is Not Okay

By adib khorram.

The Astonishing Color of After

By emily x.r. pan.

by Elizabeth Acevedo

Frankly in Love

By david yoon.

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me

By mariko tamaki, illustrated by rosemary valero-o’connell.

Like a Love Story

By abdi nazemian.

by Akwaeke Emezi

With the Fire on High

The Black Flamingo

By dean atta.

Felix Ever After

By kacen callender.

by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi

The Henna Wars

By adiba jaigirdar.

We Are Not Free

By traci chee.

You Should See Me In a Crown

By leah johnson.

Firekeeper's Daughter

By angeline boulley.

Teen & Young Adult Books

NEW! Teen Shop | Best of the Year | Editors' Picks | Literature & Fiction | Love & Romance | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Printz Award

• Last 30 days
• Last 90 days
• Coming Soon
• Teen & Young Adult

Art, Music & Photography

• Biographies

Education & Reference

Historical fiction, hobbies & games, literature & fiction, mysteries & thrillers, personal health, religion & spirituality, science fiction & fantasy, social issues, sports & outdoors.

• Kindle Edition
• Large Print
• Audible Audiobook
• Spiral-bound
• 4 Stars & Up & Up
• 3 Stars & Up & Up
• 2 Stars & Up & Up
• 1 Star & Up & Up
• Collectible
• All Discounts
• Today's Deals

More to Explore

• Children's Books
• Books on Parenting & Relationships

Connect with Us

• Amazon Book Review
• Amazon Books on Facebook
• Amazon Books on Twitter

Featured categories

• Science Fiction

• Coming of Age
• Short Stories
• Light Novels

• School & Education
• Language Arts

• Contemporary
• Science Fiction & Dystopian

• Self-Esteem
• Dating & Intimacy

• Body, Mind & Spirit
• Depression & Mental Health

• Games & Activities
• Crafts & Hobbies

• Performing Arts

• Mystery & Detective
• Thrillers & Suspense
• Fantasy & Supernatural

• United States

• Christianity

• Camping & Outdoor Activities

2024 Michael L. Printz Award for Teen Literature See past Printz Medal and Honor titles

Featured deals

• Amazon Newsletter
• About Amazon
• Accessibility
• Sustainability
• Press Center
• Investor Relations
• Amazon Devices
• Amazon Science
• Start Selling with Amazon
• Sell apps on Amazon
• Supply to Amazon
• Protect & Build Your Brand
• Become an Affiliate
• Become a Delivery Driver
• Start a Package Delivery Business
• Advertise Your Products
• Self-Publish with Us
• Host an Amazon Hub
• › See More Ways to Make Money
• Amazon Visa
• Amazon Store Card
• Amazon Secured Card
• Amazon Business Card
• Shop with Points
• Credit Card Marketplace
• Reload Your Balance
• Amazon Currency Converter
• Your Account
• Your Orders
• Shipping Rates & Policies
• Amazon Prime
• Returns & Replacements
• Manage Your Content and Devices
• Recalls and Product Safety Alerts
• Conditions of Use
• Privacy Notice
• Consumer Health Data Privacy Disclosure
• Your Ads Privacy Choices

• Young Adult

50 best YA books to read right now

From teen romances to epic fantasy , here's our round-up of the best young adult fiction, that adults will love too..

If you can't get enough young adult fiction, you're not alone. With the film adaptation of YA classic, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret out this year, there's no better time to discover more YA favourites. Here we round-up the best new young adult fiction of 2023, take a look back at the best of 2022, and list our top YA books of all time. 

The best new YA books of 2023

This dark descent, by kalyn josephson.

Life has not been easy for Mikira Rusel, the heroine of this brand-new YA fantasy series set in the magical and corrupt world of Veradell. When forced to confront a penniless future without her beloved father, she sets out to change her destiny the only way she knows: by winning a high-stakes equestrian competition with as many dangers as it has rewards. Will Mikira make it to the finish line, or will she fail in her quest? A magical YA fantasy based on Jewish folklore from an exciting new voice, This Dark Descent is a must-read. 

The Changing Man

By tomi oyemakinde.

With its hallowed halls, snarky students, and traditions steeped in history, Ife feels out of place the minute she steps through the doors of her prestigious new boarding school. And, as she settles into school life, she can’t shake the feeling that something isn’t right. When students start to go missing, her suspicions are confirmed. Determined to find the truth behind the differences and the mysterious legend of the Changing Man, Ife and her friend Ben find themselves in even more danger than they ever imagined. 

Our Cursed Love

By julie abe.

Remy is hopelessly in love with her best friend and has decided that their once-in-a-lifetime trip to Japan is the perfect time to finally tell him. But her plans are ruined after visiting an ancient apothecary shop, where Cam’s memories are wiped after he drinks a magical elixir. Racing against the clock, only Remy can help Cam remember her, and keep her dream of love alive. A magical holiday romance with a twist, Our Cursed Love will have you hanging onto every page. 

Friends with Boys

By faith erin hicks.

A spooky YA graphic novel, this coming-of-age tale is a must-read. When Maggie McKay finds herself leaving her perfect homeschooling existence, and her brothers, for the perilous world of high school, she naturally feels a little nervous. But as she faces the outside world on her own for the first time, Maggie has a problem no other teens have to deal with: a gloomy ghost who follows her around wherever she goes. Join Maggie as she navigates her new world, and solving the mystery of her spooky friend with hilarious consequences! 

Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong

By prudence shen.

If you’re a Heartstopper fan looking for a new obsession, this hilarious YA graphic novel is for you. When Charlie (dreamy basketball-team captain) and Nate (nerdy robotics club president) find themselves at war thanks to a cheerleader driven feud, there’s more than their friendship at stake. With robots, rivalry, friendship and high-school tropes at it’s heart, Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong is a heartwarming and feel-good read you can’t miss. 

One Year at Ellsmere

A feel-good graphic novel from Faith Erin Hicks, One Year at Ellsmere is a story about friendship, fitting in and standing up for what you believe in. When Juniper wins a scholarship to the ultra prestigious Ellsmere Academy she thinks she will be the perfect fit. But as soon as she sets foot on the hallowed grounds, she realises fitting in won’t be as easy as she thought. As she navigates Ellsmere’s cliques and tries to avoid the magical beast rumoured to roam the school grounds, Juniper finds her feet, and sets out to prove her haters wrong. 

A magical tale of true love, set in a Tokyo enveloped in winter snow on New Year’s Eve, Our Cursed Love is the perfect novel to curl up with this season. When Remy sets off on a once in a lifetime trip to Japan, she decides it is the perfect time to tell her best friend Cam how she feels about him. But after a trip to a magical apothecary goes wrong and Cam forgets who Remy is, the pair set off on a whirlwind trip through Tokyo to reclaim Cam’s memories and give their love story a second chance. 

Blood and Moonlight

By erin beaty.

When orphan Catrin witnesses a murder she should never have seen, the course of her life changes forever. Plunged into a world ruled by darkness, she finds herself torn between the killer and Simon, a detective with a brilliant mind who is determined to find the perpetrator. As Catrin becomes embroiled in solving the case, her own secret threatens to spill out, and risk everyone she loves in the process. Blood and Moonlight is followed by the second novel in this addictive fantasy mystery series, Silence and Shadow . 

Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy

When hot-headed hockey star Alix finds herself in trouble after punching her teammate, her biggest fear is being kicked off the team she loves. Enter calm, cool theatre kid Ezra, who offers to help her control her temper. As the pair start to spend time together, Alix finds herself wondering if maybe what she wants is more than just friendship, and whether her unlikely new friend feels the same? Funny, feelgood and packed with high-school drama, Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy is the perfect graphic novel for fans of Heartstopper . 

An Improbable Season

By rosalyn eves.

Calling all Bridgerton fans! An Improbable Season is your next read. This historical romance about three young women following their dreams will transport you straight into the world of Regency London. As Thalia, Kalliope, and Charis embark on their first season, they’re all more focused on the bright lights of London than the eligible bachelors they’re set to meet. Sadly, the trio soon realise that success won’t be quite as simple to find as they had hoped. As they set out to rescue their season, will the young women be swept up in romance? Find out in this charming, feel-good full-hearted novel. 

Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret

By judy blume.

With the release of a major film adaptation starring Rachel McAdams, there is no better time to discover the new edition of this hilarious coming-of-age classic by Judy Blume . Meet Margaret. She's going through all the same things most teenage girls have to face, but no matter how hard she tries, she can't shake the feeling that she's simply not normal. Meanwhile, everyone else seems really sure of who they are. And, worst of all, she's a 'late developer'. It's too embarrassing to talk to her parents about these things. So she talks to God instead – and waits for an answer. 

Don't Miss

More books by Judy Blume

Cupid's revenge, by wibke brueggemann.

It was never Tilly's intention to fall in love, but Cupid will get you when you least expect it . . . Tilly isn't looking for a girlfriend, but her best friend Teddy is. Enter Katherine Cooper-Bunting: beautiful, charming, and perfect for Teddy. So why does Tilly find herself using any excuse to join the theatre production they're starring in? And why can't she stop thinking about Katherine? Cupid's Revenge is a hilariously honest novel full of heart, from Wibke Brueggemann, author of   Love is for Losers . 

Fake Dates and Mooncakes

By sher lee.

Meet Dylan Tang: he juggles school and delivery runs for his aunt’s struggling Chinese takeout in Brooklyn. Winning a mooncake competition could bring the publicity they need to stay afloat. Enter Theo Somers: a charming, wealthy customer who convinces Dylan to be his fake date to a family wedding full of crazy rich drama. Their romance is supposed to be just for show, but soon Dylan’s falling for Theo — for real. With the mooncake contest looming, Dylan can’t risk being distracted by rich-people problems. Can he save his family’s business and follow his heart? 

I Wish You All the Best

By mason deaver.

This tender story about a non-binary teen is a celebration of life and love, and a shining example of hope in the face of adversity. When Ben De Backer comes out as nonbinary, it doesn’t go down as planned: they are thrown out of their house and forced to move in with their estranged older sister. Ben tries to keep a low profile in school until Nathan Allan, a funny and charismatic student, decides to take Ben under his wing. As their friendship grows, their feelings begin to change, and what started as a disastrous turn of events looks like it might just be a chance to start a happier, new life.

by Frances Hardinge

Called her ‘best yet’ by the Guardian, Hardinge expertly weaves together mythology and mystery in her brilliant YA fantasy novel, Unraveller . In a world where anyone can cast a life-destroying curse, only one person has the power to unravel them. Kellen does not fully understand his unique gift, but helps those who are cursed, like his friend Nettle who was trapped in the body of a bird for years. She is now Kellen's constant companion and his closest ally. But the Unraveller carries a curse himself and, unless he and Nettle can remove it, Kellen is a danger to everything – and everyone – around him. 

Promise Boys

By nick brooks.

Nick Brooks's  Promise Boys  is a trailblazing, blockbuster YA mystery about three teen boys of colour who must investigate their principal’s murder to clear their own names. When Principal Moore, headteacher at the Urban Promise Prep School is murdered, J.B., Ramón and Trey emerge as the case's prime suspects. With all three maintaining their innocence, they must track down the real killer before they are arrested. This YA thriller shines a glaring light on how the system, condemns Black and Latinx teen boys to failure before they've even had a chance at success. 

Begin Again

By emma lord.

From the bestselling author of Tweet Cute and You Have a Match comes Begin Again — an unforgettable story of love and starting again. Andie Rose has a plan: transfer to the competitive Blue Ridge State and chase her goal of becoming an iconic self-help figure. But once she arrives and meets Milo, her plans quickly disintegrate. He redefines all her ideas about love and relationships, pushing Andie's relationship with boyfriend Connor to breaking point. Sometimes, when all your plans are rubble at your feet, you find out what you're made of.

I Kissed Shara Wheeler

By casey mcquiston.

Chloe Green wants to be a winner. Her moms have moved her from SoCal to Alabama for high school, and she has had to spend four years navigating gossips and the puritans who run Willowgrove Christian Academy. She is determined to win valedictorian, and only prom queen Shara Wheeler stands in her way. But, a month before they graduate, Shara kisses Chloe and disappears. Chloe launches an investigation with some fellow students –  quarterback Smith and bad boy Rory. Could it be there's more to Shara than meets the eye? 

Stand Up Ferran Burke

Steven Camden

The Headmaster's List

Melissa de la Cruz

When Ghosts Call Us Home

Katya de Becerra

The Restaurant at the End of the Universe Illustrated Edition

Douglas Adams

A look forward to 2024 . . .

A tempest of tea, by hafsah faizal.

Arthie Casimir is a notorious criminal and keeper of secrets in White Roaring. By night, her esteemed tearoom becomes an illicit bloodhouse serving the feared vampires. When her venture is at risk, Arthie must negotiate an unexpected pact with a captivating foe, leading her to assemble an unlikely team of talented misfits. Their mission: penetrate the enigmatic vampire society, the Athereum. But with trust issues within her crew and a larger conspiracy unveiling, Arthie's world is on the brink of upheaval. This suspenseful, romantic novel showcases Hafsah Faizal at her finest.

American Born Chinese

By gene luen yang.

The book that inspired the hit Disney+ show, Gene Yang’s graphic novel interweaves Chinese mythology and the realities of race, friendship and the American Dream through the story of teenager Jin Wang. As he walks through the bustling hallways of his new school, Jin soon realises that he’s the only American born Chinese kid on campus and that blending in is going to be harder than he hoped. With a twist that you’ll never see coming, and characters you’ll fall in love with, American Born Chinese is a must-read.

The Getaway List

After years of being the “Good Kid” in high school, Riley is desperate for a change. So, after graduation she packs her bags for an epic summer in New York with her best friend Tom and a mission to do everything on her Getaway List. As the pair explore the city with their newfound friends, Riley starts to see Tom in a new light. Will her summer of adventure turn into a summer of love? 

Lunar New Year Love Story

Val has had such little luck in love that she’s convinced she’s cursed and is ready to give up on finding someone special. But, when she runs into two handsome lion dancers at a New Year parade, something changes and Val wonders if she’s destined to find her person after all. A new graphic novel with family and love at its heart, Lunar New Year Love Story is published just in time for the start of the Year of the Dragon.  

The best YA books of 2022

Scattered showers, by rainbow rowell.

Scattered Showers promises tales of love and life in nine poignant and relatable short stories, including a boy-meets-girl classic, an imaginary romance and a holiday adventure. Complete with irresistible characters and hilarious dialogue, Rainbow Rowell's new collection is YA storytelling at its finest. 

The Cemetery Boys

By aiden thomas.

Yadriel has summoned a ghost, and now he can’t get rid of him. Attempting to prove his abilities to his family by contacting his cousin, he accidentally brings back the high school’s resident bad boy, Julian Diaz, and Julian won’t go into death quietly. The two must work together if Yadriel is to carry out his plan and show himself to be a true brujo (sorcerer) but the more time the two spend together, the less Yadrial wants Julian to leave. An LGBTQIA+ story about magic and acceptance.

Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments

By t. l. huchu.

When Ropa Moyo takes on a second job to fund her internship (at an occult underground library) she finds herself turning detective. Her new role is at Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments, a very specialized hospital, where a new illness is resisting all treatments – medical and magical. Investigating, Ropa uncovers an avenging spirit, a lost fortune and a secret deep in Scotland’s past. But how are they connected, and can they help the patients of Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments?

Gossip Girl meets You’ve Got Mail in this intensely likeable romance. Pepper is a chronic overachiever and the secret voice of Big League Burger's massive Twitter account. Jack is the class clown working part-time at his family’s deli, unknowingly engaged in a viral Twitter war with Pepper about grilled cheese. And then they meet on an anonymous chat app. . .

The Sunbearer Trials

Welcome to The Sunbearer Trials, where teen semidióses (demigods) compete in a series of challenges with the highest of stakes. Every decade, the sun’s power must be replenished via a sacrificial offering to Sol. The sacrifice? The loser of the Trials. Teo isn’t worried, at least not for himself. But when his best friend Niya is set to compete against another of their friends, and their rival Aurelio looks likely to win, Teo is determined to get everyone through the Trials unscathed. 

My Mechanical Romance

By alexene farol follmuth.

When Bel accidentally reveals a talent for engineering at school, she’s forced into joining the robotics club. Enter Mateo Luna, perfect on paper – captain of the football team and the robotics club – who recognizes Bel as a potential asset, even if they couldn’t be more different. And as the nights of after–school work grow longer, Bel and Teo realize they've made more than just a combat–ready robot for the championship: they’ve made a connection themselves. But with graduation approaching, their differences and what they want for their futures, threatens what they’ve built together. 

Mark My Words

By muhammad khan.

Dua Iqbal has always been open to new stories: she is persuasive and curious, and a job as a journalist seems like a good move for the fifteen year old. When her school merges with another one, Dua seizes the moment and establishes a rival newspaper, packed with stories that some teachers and kids would rather not be told. Dua is digging deep, and as exams draw closer, she has to decide when to just let things lie. But when she discovers that some of the pupils are being falsely accused of selling drugs, it's time to speak up and speak out.

Tokyo Dreaming

By emiko jean.

Japanese-American Izumi Tanaka became a princess overnight, when she realised that her dad was the Crown Prince of Japan. Life as a princess isn't all it's cracked up to be, with plotting cousins, nosy journalists and an imperial scandal. But with her bodyguard turned boyfriend and dog Tamagotchi things seem to be on the up for Izumi, especially when her parents rekindle their college affair and get engaged. Then the Imperial Household Council steps in and tries to stop the marriage, leaving Izumi struggling to keep her newly acquired happiness on track . . .

She Drives Me Crazy

Kelly Quindlen

You Have A Match

Lost in the Never Woods

Aiden Thomas

Ophelia After All

Racquel Marie

Something Certain, Maybe

Sara Barnard

You've Reached Sam

Dustin Thao

Truth Be Told

The In Between

The best ya books of all time, we hunt the flame.

Another TikTok sensation , We Hunt the Flame  is a brilliant debut about exploration and claiming your own identity. Zafira is a Hunter, who disguises herself as a man to try to provide for her people. Nasir is the Prince of Death, a notorious assassin in thrall to his sultan father. Both are reluctant legends, and both are on dangerous missions. As they embark on these perilous tasks, a long buried evil begins to stir.

Journey to the River Sea

By eva ibbotson.

Orphan Maia is on a mission to meet her long-lost relatives a thousand miles up the Amazon. But instead of the warm family she has waited for, she is met by two mean cousins who can't stand the outdoors. The wonders of the rainforest lure Maia outside, where she meets a lone boy on the wild river shore. And a whole new adventure begins. This beautiful 20th anniversary edition of Eva Ibbotson 's classic and award winning Amazon adventure story comes with an introduction by prize-winning author of Letters from the Lighthouse Emma Carroll. 

They Both Die at the End

By adam silvera.

This YA novel tells the story of teenage boys Mateo and Rufus, who discover they have just one day to live. These total strangers meet courtesy of the Last Friend app and decide to share End Day, with Last Friend enabling them to experience a lifetime of rich and edgy experiences in just one day. Thanks to the #booktok hashtag, the novel became an international bestselling smash three years after it was first published.

by Marissa Meyer

This is Wonderland remixed, telling the story of the girl who would go on to become the infamous Queen of Hearts. The girl, Catherine Pinkerton, is looking for love, but despite being favoured by the King of Hearts, her own heart lies elsewhere. Her great ambition is to open a bakery with her best friend, a goal considered inappropriate for a future queen. Then Catherine falls for Jest, the good looking and enigmatic court jester. She his determined to find her own path in life and in love, but in a land of magic and madness, fate steps in . . .

Noughts & Crosses

By malorie blackman.

In the award-winning Noughts and Crosses sequence, Malorie Blackman creates a dystopian world in which the white Noughts are treated as an inferior race, while the black Crosses are born into privilege and perceived as superior in every sense. It follows Sephy and Callum, who, despite the friendship they have shared since they were children, are fated to be bitter enemies. Sephy is a Cross, dark-skinned, beautiful and the daughter of a powerful politician, while Callum is a Nought, white and poor, existing to serve Crosses and nothing more. But against all odds, star-crossed lovers Sephy and Callum choose each other. 

Rainbow Rowell shares Judy Blume’s deep understanding of how teenagers think and this funny and sweet coming-of-age story reads like  Forever  for the Internet age. Cath and Wren are identical twins who, until recently, did absolutely everything together. Now they're off to university and Wren's decided she doesn't want to be one half of a pair any more. It's not so easy for Cath. She's horribly shy and has always buried herself in the fan fiction she writes. Without Wren Cath is completely on her own and totally outside her comfort zone. Now Cath must decide whether she's ready to open her heart to new people and new experiences.

The Hunger Games

By suzanne collins.

In the remains of what was North America lies the nation of Panem, with its twelve outlying districts. Each district must send one boy and one girl each year to compete in the Hunger Games, a live televised fight to the death. For sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen the call up seems like a death sentence. But she has faced death and won before. As battle commences, Katniss must choose between survival and her own humanity.

Children of Virtue and Vengeance

By tomi adeyemi.

In this thrilling sequel to Children of Blood and Bone , Zélie and Amari have finally succeeded in bringing magic back to the land of Orïsha. But the ritual was more powerful than they imagined, reigniting the powers of the maji and some nobles with magic ancestry. With civil war looming on the horizon, Zélie finds herself at a breaking point: she must find a way to bring the kingdom together or watch as Orïsha tears itself apart. Children of Virtue and Vengeance is the perfect read for young adult fantasy fanatics. 

Deeplight  is a mystical fantasy book from the author Sarah Perry described as ‘one of our finest storytellers’:  Frances Hardinge . For centuries, the gods of the Undersea have ruled the islands of the Myriad through awe and terror. Sacrifices were hurled into the waters to appease them, and every boat was painted with pleading eyes to entreat their mercy. They were served, feared and adored. Then, thirty years ago, the gods rose up in madness and tore each other apart. Now, the gods are nothing but a collection of valuable scraps to be scavenged from the ocean and sold. But something is pulsing beneath the waves, calling to someone brave enough to retrieve it.

Opposite of Always

By justin a. reynolds.

When Jack and Kate meet at a party, Jack knows he’s found someone he could share the rest of his life with. Just months later, Kate dies – but their story doesn’t end there. Kate’s death sends Jack back in time to the moment they first met, giving him multiple chances to change their destiny, and save Kate’s life.

Kick the Moon

Fifteen-year-old Ilyas is under pressure from everyone in his life: his dad wants him to join the family business, GCSEs are looming, and nobody seems to care that Ilyas just wants to draw comic books. Nobody, that is, except his new best friend Kelly, the school good girl who’s the first person to actually understand him. But when local bad boy Imran decides to seduce Kelly for a bet, Ilyas has to choose between a confrontation that could endanger his family and losing the person who’s most important to him.

Field Notes on Love

By jennifer e. smith.

Hugo and his girlfriend have the perfect romantic trip planned together – travelling across America by train. But then she dumps him. She leaves him the tickets as a parting gift, the only problem is that they’re in her name, and they’re non-transferable. Desperate to get away, Hugo advertises for a replacement Margaret Campbell, which is where Mae comes in. After getting rejected from film school, she’s looking for a new adventure and a cross-country trip with a stranger will prove to be just that.

What She Found in the Woods

By josephine angelini.

World-weary New York teen Magda is on her last chance. After setting off a scandal in the elite New York City private school scene, she’s been shipped off to her grandparents’ sleepy Pacific Northwest town. Over-medicated and uninspired, she finds her only solace in the beautiful hiking trails behind her grandparents’ cottage. Then she meets Bo who gives her hope that there might be a second chapter to her life story. That is until a series of crimes start breaking out across the region, and a body is found in the woods near Bo’s encampment. Soon it’s clear that Magda’s nightmare is just beginning. 

No Big Deal

By bethany rutter.

This is the debut novel from body positive influencer, Bethany Rutter, and it follows Emily Daly, a stylish, cute, intelligent and hilarious seventeen-year-old about to start her last year at school. Emily is also fat. She likes herself and her body. When she meets Joe at a house party, he instantly becomes The Crush of Her Life. But, as they spend more time together, doubts start to creep in. With her mum trying new fad diets every week and increasing pressure to change, Emily faces a constant battle to stay strong, be her true self and not change for anyone.

You may also like

Lgbtqia+ ya books that adults will love too, 20 best ya fantasy books to escape in, 10 best romance books for teens.

30 YA Books That Are Must-Reads for All Ages

Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

YA may stand for “young adult,” but it comes as little surprise that the genre’s fast-paced plotting, relatable protagonists, and frank approach to difficult themes have come to resonate with readers of all ages. Besides, let’s face it: When it comes to inventive sociopolitical analysis and major cultural trends, YA has always been on the cutting edge. (After all, before Squid Game came The Hunger Games .) Whether you’re looking to branch out into the literary category for the first time or simply want a new read to hunt for in your favorite section of the bookstore, this list of must-read YA titles is for you.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

What kind of list would this be without the series that redefined dystopian YA as we know it? In case you need a refresher, The Hunger Games is the first book in the series of the same name, in which 12 boys and 12 girls from the future North American country of Panem are selected every year to compete in a televised battle royale-style fight to the death. When teen hunter Katniss Everdeen becomes a participant in the Games, her defiance sparks a nationwide resistance movement that ultimately swells into a revolution.

They Wish They Were Us by Jessica Goodman

If you’re on the hunt for a high school riff on dark academia, look no further. Now in development as a series for HBO Max, They Wish They Were Us is a murder mystery set at an elite Long Island prep school, when Jill—a senior and member of The Players, the school’s vaunted semi-secret society—begins to suspect that the guy who confessed to the murder of her best friend three years ago might not be guilty after all.

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

High fantasy that’ll sweep you away to another place and time? Check. Magic-wielding teenagers fleeing oppression? Check. Epic adventure spanning a fictional version of pre-Colonial West Africa? Check, check, check. The first book in Adeyemi’s blockbuster Legacy of the Orisha series follows Zélie, a teenage girl with latent magical powers, who must join forces with her non-magical brother and a rebel princess in order to free her nation from an oppressive regime.

The Bones of Ruin by Sarah Raughley

Iris, an African tightrope walker in Victorian London, has a secret: she cannot die. Though unable to remember her past, Iris is determined to discover who she is—a quest that grows more complicated when she stumbles across the path of a mysterious group known as the Enlightenment Committee. When a member of the society offers to share the truth about her identity in exchange for her participation in a magical gladiatorial competition, Iris must consider whether some secrets are meant to stay buried.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

As a resident of a poor, mostly-Black neighborhood and a student at a mostly-white elite private school, Starr Carter is used to code switching—until the night her childhood friend Khalil gets shot and killed by a white cop while driving Starr home from a party. Starr agrees to come forward as an anonymous witness to the shooting, but when Khalil’s murder sparks national protest, Starr’s two worlds come crashing together.

Balzer & Bray/Harperteen The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth

Thanks to Desiree Akhavan’s incredibly moving film adaptation by the same name, most people know Cameron Post as a story about a lesbian teenager in 1993 whose family sends her to a conversion therapy after she’s caught kissing a girl from her church youth group. But the book is about so much more than that: It follows Cameron in the years following her parents’ death as she comes to terms with her sexuality, grapples with her faith, and reckons with the fact that her family’s love may actually be conditional after all.

Dumplin' by Julie Murphy

Willowdean Dixon has never quite fit in—not with her former beauty queen mother (Will is fat and proud), and not with the shallow, pageant-obsessed girls in her small Texas town (for all she cares, as long as she’s got her best friend Eileen by her side, everyone else can go kick rocks). But when a hot former jock coworker expresses interest in her, Will goes into a tailspin. Desperate to get her confidence back, she decides to take on the ultimate challenge: entering the Miss Clover City beauty pageant.

Anna K: A Love Story by Jenny Lee

In this aged-down riff on Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina , the titular Anna K is the teenage darling of Manhattan society. She’s got the perfect life: a handsome boyfriend; the love and attention of her demanding father; and daily access to luxuries most can only dream of. But when she meets the notorious playboy Alexia “Count” Vronsky at Grand Central, all bets are off—and the closer Anna gets to Alexia, the closer she comes to losing everything.

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Simon Spier has a tight-knit friend group, a loving family, and a secret: He’s gay. Not yet ready to come out in real life, he strikes up an anonymous email correspondence with another closeted guy at his school who goes by the pseudonym of Blue. But just when he thinks he and Blue might actually be falling in love, a blackmailing classmate turns Simon’s world upside down by threatening to send all his skeletons tumbling out of the closet—literally.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

When 16-year-old thyroid cancer patient Hazel goes to a cancer support group, it’s to make her mother happy, not out of any genuine interest on her part—until she meets a 17-year-old boy in remission named Augustus. The two strike up an immediate bond, and as their relationship grows, both Hazel and Augustus must reckon with their relationships to illness, mortality, and romance.

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo

As a high school senior with a toddler-aged daughter, Emoni Santiago doesn’t have the luxury of putting herself first—not even when it comes to her dream of attending culinary school and becoming a chef. But when her school announces a new culinary arts class that will culminate in a class trip to Spain, Emoni wonders if it might finally be the time to let her talent run free.

The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

Nowadays, movies like Princess Protection Program and books like Tokyo Ever After (also on this list) abound, but without Cabot’s 11-book Princess Diaries series, the “unexpected teenage royals” trope might not exist as we know it today. Teen protagonist Mia Thermopolis is plenty busy pining after her crush and trying not to flunk out of algebra when her dad visits from Europe and reveals some life-changing information: he’s actually the crown prince of a small country named Genovia—which makes Mia, his only daughter, the crown princess.

Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean

Described as The Princess Diaries  for a new generation, Tokyo follows Izumi as she navigates life and high school in her mostly-white northern California town. But when she discovers her previously unknown father is actually the Crown Prince of Japan, Izumi soon finds herself caught between worlds.

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

Satrapi redefined comics in the public eye with the publication of her graphic memoir, Persepolis , which follows her life from childhood in Iran up through adolescence and early adulthood in Europe. As a child, young Marji grows up amid the noise and turmoil of the Iranian Revolution. When the Iran-Iraq War takes hold, Marji’s parents send her to boarding school in Vienna, which marks the beginning of a years-long struggle to define the term “home.” 

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

When it came out in 2012, critics and readers alike heralded Aristotle and Dante for its groundbreaking take on Mexican-American identity, masculinity, and queerness, and its exploration of those themes still holds up today. Set in 1987, the book follows El Paso teenagers Aristotle “Ari” Mendoza and Dante Quintana as they navigate friendship, adolescence, and—of course—the secrets of the universe.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

Long before Lara Jean Covey and Peter Kavinsky ever graced Netflix, Han’s To All The Boys series had already captured the hearts of legions of fans—and it’s not hard to see why: Following high schooler Lara Jean’s misadventures in life, love, and self-discovery, the books are like a warm hug in YA rom-com form.

Dear Martin by Nic Stone

When Justyce McAllister—a Black scholarship student at a mostly-white prep school in Atlanta—is thrown to the ground and handcuffed, the only person who can help him make sense of it all is Martin Luther King, Jr. In search of answers, he starts writing a journal to Dr. King. Stone’s debut novel is a stirring meditation on the difficulties of growing up Black in America, and it’s easy to understand why the book returned to the top of the New York Times bestseller list in early 2020, several years after its 2017 publication.

The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline

In the near future envisioned by Dimaline’s dystopian novel, dreaming is largely obsolete. Only Indigenous people still have the ability to dream—and are hunted for their bone marrow, which is used in a serum to treat the ailing dreamless, because of it. A harrowing reimagining of past genocides against Indigenous people, The Marrow Thieves marks the emergence in 2017 of an urgent and timely YA series.

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me by Mariko Tamaki

Despite being rendered in just black, white, and pink, Laura Dean is a vivid depiction—literally—of the havoc a toxic relationship can wreak on a person’s psyche. No matter how badly she treats her—or how many times they break up—Freddy just can’t stay away from her on-again, off-again girlfriend, Laura Dean. But as her friends begin to drift away, Freddy must decide just how much she’s willing to sacrifice for what she thinks is love.

Pet by Akwaeke Emezi

Acclaimed author Emezi’s YA debut tackles a difficult question rarely addressed in adult literature: How do you save the world from monsters if no one will admit they exist? All her life, 15-year-old Jam’s parents and teachers have told her that there are no monsters in the city of Lucille. Then Jam meets Pet, a creature whose purpose is to hunt a monster lurking in Jam’s best friend’s house, and everything she’s been taught is called into question.

What to Read in 2024

Shelf Life: Julia Alvarez

Cameron Russell Is Unafraid

Percival Everett on 'James'

Lauren Oyler on 'No Judgment' and Criticism

Shelf Life: Téa Obreht

Carissa Broadbent On the Next 'Crowns of Nyaxia'

The Best Mystery and Thriller Books of 2024

Shelf Life: Cathleen Schine

Xochitl Gonzalez on 'Anita de Monte'

Shelf Life: Xochitl Gonzalez

Black Jane Austen Fans Have Never Had It Better

The 25 Best YA Books of All Time

Alison Doherty

Alison Doherty is a writing teacher and part time assistant professor living in Brooklyn, New York. She has an MFA from The New School in writing for children and teenagers. She loves writing about books on the Internet, listening to audiobooks on the subway, and reading anything with a twisty plot or a happily ever after.

View All posts by Alison Doherty

Young adult books are still super popular for a reason. Being a teenager is a time of self definition and so many exciting firsts. It’s a time when people (and therefor) characters are really deciding who they are and who they want to be. And that’s thrilling to read about, whether a YA story is about a character falling in love for the first time, attempting save the world, or standing up for something important they believe in. Even though I would never want to be a teenager again, I still love reading about teenage characters and their stories over and over and over again.

Choosing the best YA books of all time (and only 25 of them!) is certainly a daunting task. I’m not going to try to define the word best, because honestly there is no way to write a list like this that isn’t highly subjective. But I will define YA as books where the characters are teenagers that were published specifically for teenage readers; even if publishers know full well adults will be reading them too. This knocked off a lot of iconic fantasy favorites (I’m looking at you Meg Murray and Alanna of Trebond ) where the characters begin as tweens and felt more like middle grade when I looked at them again. It also knocked off books like Catcher in the Rye which is about a teenager, but feels like it is written for an adult audience.

From realistic fiction to fantasy to dystopian to romance, I tried to create a list of the best YA books of all time that represents many different genres and moments in YA history. Without more apologies and explanations from this anxious book blogger, here is my list of the 25 best YA novels of all time.

The Best YA Books of All Time

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

The Outsiders is sometimes called the first young adult novel. Even though this isn’t true , the book is one of the first YA books to gain a lot of attention and is still read in many schools today. It’s also iconic for the fact that S.E. Hinton wrote it when she was just a teenager herself. It tells a story of class warfare, between Ponyboy and the “Greasers” who are poor and the “Socs” who are from the wealthy side of town. The fights between them escalate until things get deadly, testing their friendships and commitment to the gang. I think it’s near impossible to read this book without crying, at least a little bit. And even if you haven’t read it, chances are you’ve heard the term “Stay gold, Ponyboy” at least once in your life.

Thank you for signing up! Keep an eye on your inbox. By signing up you agree to our terms of use

Beauty by Robin McKinley

Robin McKinley pioneered fairytale retellings in young adult books. In this reimagining, Beauty has been given an ironic and hurtful nickname that refers to her awkward looks. When her father makes a terrible deal with a beast in the forrest, Beauty leaves her family in order to save his life. Beauty and the beast are both stubborn. But a slow burn romance unfolds between the lyrical and lushly written pages. This has been a favorite of YA readers for many generations now.

A Ring of Endless Light by Madeleine L’Engle

Before love triangles were all the rage, Madeleine L’Engle created a love quadrangle for 15-year-old Vicky Austen. Vicky is spending the summer with her dying grandfather on Seven Bay Island. While dealing with her grief and heartbreak, she finds herself drawn to three different boys: Zachary her boyfriend from last summer, Leo her longtime friend who is also experience family heartbreak, and Adam an intern at the Island’s research center on dolphins. Vicky spends the novel feeling depressed and surrounded by death. It gets so bad that she doesn’t know how to experience joy anymore. But Adam and the dolphins help show Vicky there is still light in this world, even amongst the darkness.

Annie on My Mind by Nancy Garden

Liza meets Annie at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. They come from very different families, schools, and economic backgrounds. But they quickly bond over their love of art and hopes to build a creative life in their futures. When their friendship becomes romantic, Liza breaks things off because of the homophobia in her school. But eventually in college, Liza accepts her sexuality and sexual orientation. And Annie and Liza get a happily ever after that was rare for queer characters at the time.

Weetzie Bat by Francesca Lia Block

This iconic YA novel is a celebration of 1980s counter culture and the California punk scene. It is a lyrical, slang-filled story that is all about the vibes. Weetzie Bat is determined to live an unconventional life. She is moving through a Shangri-LA fairytale with her best friend Dirk and the enigmatic My Secret-Agent Lover Man. Parts of the story and writing will probably feel dated, but there is something so weird and magical about this book that it had to be on the list.

If You Come Softly by Jacqueline Woodson

Woodson tells a contemporary Romeo & Juliet story in this book about Ellie and Miah, who both feel like outsiders at their fancy Manhattan private school. Although Ellie is white and Jewish and Miah is Black, the pair instantly fall in love at first sight. They develop a deep romantic and intellectual connection throughout the story. But what starts as a sweet, innocent love story devolves into tragedy with racism, police brutality, and people’s prejudices working to keep them apart.

Monster by Walter Dean Myers

Told through a first person diary, a third-person screenplay, and sometimes photographs, Monster tells the story of Steve, a 16-year-old on trial for murdering a drugstore owner. While in jail, dealing with the many injustices of incarceration and the legal system, Steve turns to writing a film about his experience as a way to cope. As readers, we don’t know if Steve is guilty or innocent. But, through Myers’ portrayal, we know he isn’t the monster that the district attorney makes him out to be in court. This book is masterpiece in exploring different forms of storytelling, complex themes, and the reliability (or unreliability) of the narrator. It focused on racial injustice and the experience of a Black teenager at a time when Black children were even less represented in books than they are today. It also was the inaugural winner of the Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature .

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Melinda is turned into a social pariah after she calls the police at the end of summer party of an upperclassmen. She can’t tell anyone why she called the cops and got anyone in trouble. In fact, she stops talking completely at the beginning of her freshman year. Throughout the book, we get clues about what happened to Melinda that night and how the trauma has affected every aspect of her life. This book discusses rape, suicidal ideation, and PTSD openly. It was a groundbreaking YA story for its time. And it still remains a powerful, emotional story.

The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

A regular, nerdy girl finding out she’s a secret princess is one of the coolest YA plots of all time. Mia Thermopolis is a beloved character for the realness of her character and the complete fantasy of her story. From princess lessons to the awkwardness of her mom dating her algebra teacher to people not respecting her choice to become vegetarian. This book also reintroduced the power of series into young adult literature in a big way. While the movie made this story even more popular, the book feels edgier, sassier, and much more real. A true YA classic!

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares

This another iconic young adult book from the early 2000s (or the Y2K era as my students now call it). It features the perspectives of four best friends, Carmen, Tibby, Lena, and Bridget, who are about to spend their first summer apart from each other. Right before they are separated, they find a magical pair of jeans in a thrift store that seems to fit all of them perfectly despite them all being different sizes with very different body types. They mail the jeans between them as each character goes on her own adventure of self discovery. The messages of friendship and body positivity stick still stick with me today, even though it’s been over 15 years since I read this book.

Tyrell by Coe Booth

Tyrell is just trying to make it through the week. When his DJ father went to jail, his family became homeless. His mom is checked out, and he just wants to provide a better life for his younger brother. He decides to throw a party with his dad’s old DJ equipment and charge people to get in. Throughout the week Tyrell keeps trying to do the right thing for his family, for his girlfriend Novisha, and most importantly for himself. But figuring out what the right thing is when you don’t have many options is hard. And it’s gets even harder when the stakes are so high.

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

In a dystopian future, America has fought a 2nd Civil War over the issue of abortion. Advances in science have created a pretty horrifying compromise between both sides. Instead of allowing abortion, parents are able to “unwind” their children if they are between the ages of 13 and 18. This means donating every one of their organs into different donors so their life technically continues on, just in other people’s bodies. Connor, Risa, and Lev are all set to be unwound, but escape together when something goes wrong on the way to the unwinding center. Now they are thrust into an underground movement helping teenagers resist unwinding and fight against this practice. This is an emotional, character-driven story that is more relevant now than ever.

Ash by Malinda Lo

Ash is an orphan living two different lives simultaneously. At home, she is cruelly mistreated and overworked by her stepmother and stepsisters. But in the woods she has a magical, lush, lyrical life with fairies, romantic adventures, and memories of her beloved mother. She has a chance to escape the life of grief and drudgery, by leaving the human world to belong to the handsome prince of the fairies. But this would mean saying goodbye to Kaia, a noblewoman and huntress who Ash has fallen in love with.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

To me, this book is the perfect balance between a coming of age story and a romance. Anna is being sent against her will to complete her senior year at a boarding school in Paris. She is dumped in a school away from her friends, her family, and the language she knows. But soon she’s accepted into a wonderful group of friends, including the very handsome Etienne St. Clair. It seems like he might have a crush on her…but then she finds out he has a serious girlfriend. Still, something about them seems meant to be. And what would a year in the city of love be, without some romance?

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

In a dystopian future, children are chosen from each district to participate in a fight to the death for the amusement of the Capital City. The whole thing is televised and treated like a reality show. But when Katniss Everdeen volunteers to go to the games in order to save her sister, she will see how much acting and unreality is necessary to make it through the games alive. This book spurned a huge dystopian resurgence, a popular movie franchise, and a best-selling trilogy. It is a page-turn, heart-wrenching, hands-sweating story from beginning to end.

Legend by Marie Lu

In a nation that is always at war, Jude is a military prodigy from one of the Republic’s most respected families. Day was born into poverty and is a wanted criminal. They are both only 15, but their paths cross when Jude’s brother is killed and Day becomes the lead suspect. Jude vows revenge and to hunt Day down using whatever means necessary. But neither of them has the full picture about what happened or what is going on behind the patriotic veneer the Republic has used to cover up its true actions. Their relationship will make each of them stronger. But it will also tear their lives apart.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Hazel is a 17-year-old living with terminal cancer and trying to make as few connections as possible to spare people from grief when she dies. When her mother forces her to join a teen cancer support group, she meets Augustus. He is currently in remission from osteosarcoma, a type of cancer that caused him to lose one of his legs. The two connect over sharing their favorite books and movies. And, of course, a romance develops between them. But what makes this book stand out is the nuance. It is sad and hilarious, tragic and deeply romantic, philosophical and silly. In the culmination of the book, the two use their Make-a-Wish opportunity to travel to Amsterdam to meet the mysterious, reclusive author of Hazel’s favorite book to try to get answer’s about what happens to the characters after the novel’s ending.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Ari and Dante are two Mexican-American boys with weird names living in El Paso Texas. At first, it seems like they have little in common. But a bond that begins with their names turns into a deep friendship where Ari is opened up to a world of poetry, thoughts, and even learning to swim. Throughout the book, Dante is questioning his sexual orientation. Ari doesn’t want to think about that as much and is more preoccupied with wondering why his older brother is in jail. But their relationship helps each boy define and discover more about himself. A truly perfect love story set against a complicated, dangerous world for boys who don’t conform.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

Lara Jean never told any of her crushes she liked them. Instead, she wrote them secret love letters, which she kept in a hat box under her bed never intending to send them. But her junior year, things get turned upside down when she discovers someone has mailed all the letters out. And to keep her sister’s ex-boyfriend Josh from being weird about it, she convinces popular Peter K. (her middle school crush) to pretend they are dating. A love triangle. Fake dating. This story is seriously the best when it comes to pulling off these well known romance tropes. And between the bestselling book and incredibly popular Netflix adaptation, this story remains so beloved by Lara Jean fans.

I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

Jude and her twin brother Noah have always been best friends. In love with each other, their life in Northern California, and their enigmatic mother. But all of this changes when their mother dies in a car accident. And when Jude goes to art school, instead of Noah who has always been the one obsessed with drawing and art. The mystery of what happened between the siblings is explored through two perspectives in two timelines. Jude at age 16 as she attends an art boarding school and commits to a “boy boycott” from dating. And Noah at age 13 as he becomes completely consumed in romantic feelings for the boy who’s just moved next door. Each chapter is a piece of the complicated puzzle that makes up their family story. And each sentence feels like a poem.

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Adieh

Khalid is the teenage Caliph of Khorasan, who marries a new girl each night and has her strangled each morning. When her best friend is murdered, Shahrzad volunteers to be his next bride. She has a plan to keep him enraptured with her skillful storytelling and find his weaknesses. But she begins to see a human side to the monster she vowed to get revenge on. As love begins to grow between the pair, Shahrzad discovers there’s more to the story than she knew.

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

Told completely in free verse poetry, this novel tells the story of one night in 15-year-old Will’s life. In fact, it’s really the story of one elevator ride. When Will see’s his brother shot and murdered in the street, he knows that he is supposed to get revenge. So he takes his brother’s gun to complete what’s expected of him. But on each floor a ghost of a person Will knew who became a victim of gun violence. As Will works through his feelings, not just about his brother’s death but all the violence that’s touched his life, the decision to use his brother’s gun to get revenge doesn’t seem as simple as it did when Will first got into the elevator.

They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera

With a spoiler for a title, there is little doubt that this book is going to be a tear jerker. In fact, it became a trend for readers to post videos of themselves crying after finishing this book. In this story, technology has been invented that can tell you 24 hours before you are going to die. The book begins with Mateo and Rufus both getting the call from Death-Cast: this will be their last day alive. They are strangers but meet up through an app for people to make friends on their end day. What follows is a romance, adventure, and journey of self discovery that feels too expansive to fit into just one day.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Starr feels divided between her two lives: one in her mostly Black neighborhood and the other at her mostly white prep school. These worlds collide when she see’s her childhood best friend Khalil murdered by the police when he was unarmed at a traffic stop. Now everyone has an opinion and everyone wants Starr to tell them what happened. But telling the truth about that night will change virtually all of her relationships, both in her neighborhood and at school. Standing up to the police could put her family, her community, and her own life in danger.

Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender

Felix is a Black, queer, transgender teenage boy trying to make it through a prestigious summer art program at a private school. He already feels out of place, when someone publicly posts his deadname and pre-transition photos in the school lobby. His quest for revenge lands him in a weird catfishing, love triangle. Romantic love is something Felix has always longed for and been anxious about. And he never expected his first love would unfold like this.

I know I’ve probably left off many of the YA novels you think are the best. Believe me I left a lot of my favorites too. Forgive me! And if you want to learn more about amazing YA books, check out Book Riot’s podcast Hey YA or peruse some of the most popular young adult books on TikTok.

You Might Also Like

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

2012 Summer Books

Your favorites: 100 best-ever teen novels.

It's almost a cliche at this point to say that teen fiction isn't just for teens anymore. Just last year, the Association of American Publishers ranked Children's/Young Adult books as the single fastest-growing publishing category.

Which is why we were only a little surprised to see the tremendous response that came in for this summer's Best-Ever Teen Fiction poll. A whopping 75,220 of you voted for your favorite young adult novels, blasting past the total for last year's science fiction and fantasy poll at, dare we say it, warp speed.

And now, the final results are in. While it's no surprise to see Harry Potter and the Hunger Games trilogy on top, this year's list also highlights some writers we weren't as familiar with. For example, John Green, author of the 2012 hit The Fault in Our Stars , appears five times in the top 100.

Selecting a manageable voting roster from among the more than 1,200 nominations that came in from readers wasn't easy, and we were happy to be able to rely on such an experienced panel of judges . But deciding what does and doesn't count as a young-adult novel isn't an exact science. If you're surprised not to see some of your favorite books among the winners, you might want to look at this blog post , which describes the thinking behind the tough calls.

Summer, like youth, is fleeting. But the books we read when we're young can stay with us for a lifetime. Here's hoping that when the school bell rings in a few short weeks, it will find you engrossed in just such a memorable read, selected by the NPR audience. Enjoy. (For your convenience, here's a printable version of the top-100 list , and here's a list of the 235 finalists .)

YA Fiction Top 100

1. harry potter series.

by J.K. Rowling

Buy Featured Book

Your purchase helps support NPR programming. How?

• Independent Bookstores

2. The Hunger Games series

by Suzanne Collins

3. To Kill a Mockingbird

by Harper Lee

4. The Fault in Our Stars

by John Green

5. The Hobbit

by J.R.R. Tolkien

6. The Catcher in the Rye

by J.D. Salinger

7. The Lord of the Rings

8. Fahrenheit 451

by Ray Bradbury

9. Looking for Alaska

10. The Book Thief

by Markus Zusak

11. The Giver series

by Lois Lowry

12. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series

by Douglas Adams

13. The Outsiders

by S.E. Hinton

14. Anne of Green Gables series

by L.M. Montgomery

15. His Dark Materials series

by Philip Pullman

16. The Perks of Being a Wallflower

by Stephen Chbosky

17. The Princess Bride

by William Goldman

18. Lord of the Flies

by William Golding

19. Divergent series

by Veronica Roth

20. Paper Towns

21. The Mortal Instruments series

by Cassandra Clare

22. An Abundance of Katherines

23. Flowers For Algernon

by Daniel Keyes

24. Thirteen Reasons Why

by Jay Asher

25. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

by Mark Haddon

by Laurie Halse Anderson

27. Twilight series

by Stephenie Meyer

28. Uglies series

by Scott Westerfeld

29. The Infernal Devices series

30. Tuck Everlasting

by Natalie Babbitt

31. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

by Sherman Alexie

32. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series

by Ann Brashares

33. The Call of the Wild

by Jack London

34. Will Grayson, Will Grayson

by John Green and David Levithan

35. Go Ask Alice

by Anonymous

36. Howl's Moving Castle

by Diana Wynne Jones

37. Stargirl

by Jerry Spinelli

38. A Separate Peace

by John Knowles

39. Vampire Academy series

by Richelle Mead

40. Abhorsen Trilogy

by Garth Nix

by Frank Herbert

42. Discworld / Tiffany Aching series

by Terry Pratchett

43. My Sister's Keeper

by Jodi Picoult

44. The Dark is Rising Sequence

by Susan Cooper

45. Graceling series

by Kristin Cashore

46. Forever...

by Judy Blume

47. Earthsea series

by Ursula K. Le Guin

48. The Inheritance Cycle

by Christopher Paolini

49. The Princess Diaries series

by Meg Cabot

50. Song of the Lioness series

by Tamora Pierce

51. Treasure Island

by Robert Louis Stevenson

52. Delirium series

by Lauren Oliver

53. Anna and the French Kiss

by Stephanie Perkins

54. Hush, Hush Saga

by Becca Fitzpatrick

55. 13 Little Blue Envelopes

by Maureen Johnson

56. It's Kind of a Funny Story

by Ned Vizzini

57. The Gemma Doyle Trilogy

by Libba Bray

58. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

by Ransom Riggs

59. The House on Mango Street

by Sandra Cisneros

60. Something Wicked This Way Comes

61. The Chocolate War

by Robert Cormier

62. Just Listen

by Sarah Dessen

63. A Ring of Endless Light

by Madeleine L'Engle

64. The Truth About Forever

65. The Bartimaeus Trilogy

by Jonathan Stroud

66. Bloodlines series

67. Fallen series

by Lauren Kate

68. House of Night series

by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

69. I Capture the Castle

by Dodie Smith

70. Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist

by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

71. Before I Fall

by Neal Shusterman

73. The Last Unicorn

by Peter S. Beagle

74. The Maze Runner series

by James Dashner

75. If I Stay

by Gayle Forman

76. The Blue Sword

by Robin McKinley

77. Crank series

by Ellen Hopkins

78. Matched series

by Ally Condie

79. Gallagher Girls series

by Ally Carter

80. The Goose Girl

by Shannon Hale

81. Daughter of the Lioness / Tricksters series

82. I Am the Messenger

83. The Immortals series

84. The Enchanted Forest Chronicles

by Patricia C. Wrede

85. Chaos Walking series

by Patrick Ness

86. Circle of Magic series

87. Daughter of Smoke & Bone

by Laini Taylor

by M. T. Anderson

89. Weetzie Bat series

by Francesca Lia Block

90. Along for the Ride

91. Confessions of Georgia Nicolson series

by Louise Rennison

92. Leviathan series

93. The House of the Scorpion

by Nancy Farmer

94. The Chronicles of Chrestomanci

95. This Lullaby

96. Gone series

by Michael Grant

97. Shiver Trilogy

by Maggie Stiefvater

98. The Hero and the Crown

99. Wintergirls

100. Betsy-Tacy Books

by Maud Hart Lovelace and Lois Lenski

Cosmopolitan

15 Best Young Adult Books You Need to Read in 2024

Posted: February 16, 2024 | Last updated: February 18, 2024

It doesn't matter whether you've gone through young adulthood over a decade ago, or you're currently going through it now— YA is for everyone . It is probably the most relatable genre of all time. Dare I say it might be even more enjoyable for millennials such as myself. Is it the because it reminds us of the blissful days of yore, free of real-world worries? The feeling of accomplishment after ticking the box on your firsts? Or is it because of the trauma bond we all share because of growing pains and many awkward (sometimes scary) situations we found ourselves in? The answer is all of the above, honestly.

YA lays out all the good, the bad, and the ugly of being young, dumb, and broke. And we love it for all its unabashed, messy glory! It comes in multiple sub-genres like YA romance, drama, otherworldly fantasy, murder-mystery, horror, and so much more. There are many amazing, timeless, tried-and-tested YA books that you must have heard of either from a friend or on BookTok or somewhere else. I definitely encourage you to read those, but there are also exciting new releases this year that you definitely want to check out. Here's our list of the best young adult books of 2024.

Just Another Epic Love Poem by Parisa Akhbari

Mitra Esfahani and Bea Ortega have been best friends for five years now. They have each other, and The Book. The Book is a dogeared moleskin that they have been filling up with the stanzas of an epic, never-ending poem since they were 13. This is the safe place where they can write openly and honestly about all their feelings. Things never got messy, but that changes when Mitra realizes she's in love with Bea.

The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson

Sixteen years ago, Rachel Price disappeared, leaving her two-year-old daughter Bel—and the rest of the Price family—in the dust. She's long been presumed dead, but the case gets dug up from the grave when the Price family agrees to a true crime documentary. Bel can't wait for filming to end so that life can go back to normal. But then Rachel Price reappears, and there's no way life can ever be normal again.

Just Happy to Be Here by Naomi Kanakia

Tara just wants to be treated like any other girl at Ainsley Academy. But that can be difficult when you're the first out trans girl at an all-girls school. Now she must choose whether to keep her head down and lay low, or blaze a trail for all the trans girls that come after.

Snowglobe by Soyoung Park

This dystopian thriller is definitely a page-turner, especially if you're a fan of The Hunger Games or Squid Game . The story is set in a frozen wasteland, where the last warm place on Earth is a vast dome called the Snowglobe. The residents are the rich and famous, who broadcast their lives on television as entertainment for those outside. One day, Snowglobe's biggest star, Goh Haeri, dies. A fangirl named Chobahm is chosen to replace her. This is the life she's always dreamed of! But soon she discovers that life in the Snowglobe is nothing like what everyone sees on TV.

Wander in the Dark by Jumata Emill

Amir Trudeau goes to his stuck-up half brother's birthday party for a girl, and wouldn't you know it? He leaves the party with her: the beautiful and wealthy Chloe Danvers. She asks him to take her home and stay the night, and everything is grand! That is, until Amir wakes up in the middle of the night and Chloe is dead. A Black teenager caught fleeing the scene of a rich white girl's murder? All of New Orleans sees it no other way: he did it. Now Amir must race to prove his innocence.

Black Girl You Are Atlas by Renée Watson

This is a collection of poetry that honors Black girlhood. New York Times bestselling, award-winning author Renée Watson writes semi-autobiographical verses that speak to her youth, love, justice, and safety.

I Hope This Doesn't Find You by Ann Liang

Sadie Wen is practically perfect on paper. She's the class valedictorian, school captain, and a pleasure to be around. She's also a good daughter to her parents. The only way she can manage to always have a smile on her face is by channeling all her frustrations through e-mail drafts. Many of them are addressed to her academic rival, Julius Gong. All these e-mails sit privately in her account, until one day they all get sent. Everyone begins to resent Sadie, except the one person...Julius.

Icarus by K. Ancrum

This book reimagines the legend of Icarus as a story of star-crossed lovers. Young art thief Icarus steals art and replaces them with his father's forgeries, but then he finds himself in a conundrum when he falls for the son of the man he's been stealing from.

Dear Wendy by Ann Zhao

College freshmen Sophie Chi and Jo Ephron are aromantic and asexual, but still enjoy secretly running their respective Instagram relationship advice accounts. Sophie runs "Dear Wendy," while Jo has "Sincerely Wanda." Soon the two become rivals and begin an online feud. While, in real life, the two become really good friends.

Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

Sade Hussein has always had misfortune follow her wherever she goes, but she's hoping that changes as she starts fresh in a new school for her junior year of high school. That hope quickly vanishes when, on her first day at the prestigious Alfred Nobel Academy boarding school, her roommate disappears. And people think she's had something to do with it.

Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce

Riley dreams of becoming a big Broadway director, and a step towards that is helping her high school bring back their spring musical. But she makes the mistake of borrowing her mom's car without permission, which leads to her grounding. Now she has to work at her dad's game shop, and has no time to save the show! So she makes a deal with Nathan, one of her dad's nerdy teen employees. He'll cover her shifts and, in exchange, she'll flirt with him to make his gamer-girl crush jealous.

A Darker Mischief by Derek Milman

Everybody loves a good boarding school thriller. This one follows queer teen Cal Ware from Mississippi. He wins a scholarship to an elite boarding school called Essex Academy. Soon he finds himself swept into a world of old money, privilege, and the secret society at the heart of it all.

Somewhere in the Deep by Tanvi Berwah

Seventeen-year-old Krescent Dune is an orphan left with no choice but to deal with her deceased parents' debt and their ruinous legacy. In order to fend for herself and earn enough money to escape the island is by battling monstrous creatures in an underground fighting pit. After a fight goes terribly wrong, she becomes banned from the pits. But someone offers her a deal: in exchange for clearing all her debts, she must work on a a rescue mission deep within the mining caves beneath the island.

This Day Changes Everything by Edward Underhill

This sweet love story follows queer teens Abby and Leo. The two end up on the same subway train, and embark on a life-changing adventure together as they explore New York City.

Blood at the Root by LaDarrion Williams

Seventeen-year-old Malik has kept his powers hidden since the sudden disappearance of his mother ten years ago. But as he enrolls at a magical HBCU in Louisiana, he wants to make use of his abilities to learn more about his roots and secrets from past.

More for You

White House responds after Pope Francis condemns 'gender theory,' affirms Biden's support for trans community

18 Unwritten Rules: What Not to Do in America

Adorable but Deadly Fluff Balls, Better Known as Pygmy Slow Lorises, Born at the Smithsonian's National Zoo

Kristen Wiig Kills It In ‘SNL’ Sketch That Turns Popular Workout Into A Horror Movie

Governor denies 70 prison staffers’ pleas to halt Brian Dorsey execution

Rumor Roundup: Seth Rollins time off, Stephanie McMahon return, Nick Khan plan, more!

Florida woman shocked to find large alligator crawling through her home: 'I was shaking'

Gladiator 2’s official title announced as first poster is spotted in Las Vegas

Person comes forward to claim $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot in Oregon

Giant lake suddenly returns 130 years after vanishing

Easily Remove Super Glue From Any Surface With This Household Staple

The health condition many women are getting diagnosed with after COVID

This $3.49 ALDI Find Is Back for a Limited Time—My Family Can't Stop Eating It

Toy Company Launches Life-Sized M3GAN Doll Replica

I tried to snap a photo of the 'Devil comet' during the solar eclipse. Here's what happened.

One Piece: Characters With Most Victories

Pink Mold in Your Shower? What It Is and How to Get Rid of It

15 Car Brands With Notoriously High Maintenance Costs—and 3 With the Lowest

Reacher Season 3: Expected Release, Plot, Cast & News

15 “As Seen On TV” Products That Are Well Worth The Money

Join Discovery, the new community for book lovers

Trust book recommendations from real people, not robots 🤓

Blog – Posted on Tuesday, Feb 26

30+ best young adult romance books you can't miss out on.

If there’s one thing that we can all agree is universal, it’s that you never forget your first love. Ironically enough, first loves might also be one of the hardest things to capture in words — but, luckily, we have books for that. These brilliant authors have explored every part of the teen experience : from family drama to school responsibilities to, yes, that sensation of falling head over heels for the first time. 

So what (or who) are you waiting for? Without further ado, here are the best YA romance books that you can’t miss. 

If you're feeling overwhelmed by the number of great YA books to read, you can also take our 30-second quiz below to narrow it down quickly and get a personalized YA book recommendation  😉

Which YA book should you read next?

Discover the perfect YA book for you. Takes 30 seconds!

1. All the Little Lights by Jamie McGuire

When Catherine and Elliot first meet at the tender age of 15, they become best friends immediately. But just when life starts looking up, Elliot leaves town. And by the time he shows back up at school, he’s a star quarterback — and she’s a girl with a secret. A bestselling author with a string of hits, Jamie McGuire knocks it out again with All the Little Lights as she skillfully merges romance with thriller to create a book that’s more than the sum of its parts.

2. A Million Junes by Emily Henry

In Five Fingers, Michigan, the O’Donnells and the Angerts have feuded for, oh, just about a couple of centuries. With that rivalry ingrained inside of her, it’s no wonder that 18-year old Jack “June” O’Donnell grows up with a healthy hatred of the Angerts. The last thing that she expects is for sparks to fly when she meets Saul Angert. But fly they do in A Million Junes , a triumphant YA book that has been proclaimed as a modern meeting of Romeo and Juliet and One Hundred Years of Solitude .

3. Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

In Amy and Roger's Epic Detour , Amy Curry needs an escape. Her dad’s just died, her mom’s moving both of them from California to Connecticut, and her life just sucks. So Amy plans her own adventure. The setting: a beat-up car and a thousand miles of road. Her companion: Roger, the son of her mom’s friend who she hasn’t seen since she was a child. It’s the perfect recipe for an epic road trip that’ll encompass lots of laughter, mileage, and maybe love as well.

Looking for something new to read?

Trust real people, not robots, to give you book recommendations.

Or sign up with an email address

4. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Meet Anna, a soon-to-be senior in Atlanta who’s got it all. That is, until her father ships her all the way to a boarding school in France. Suffice to say, that’s practically the other side of the world. Now Anna has to contend both with baguettes and Étienne St. Clair, a handsome youth who has no right to be as charming or gorgeous as he is. Set in the most romantic city in the world and featuring the swoon-worthy French boy of your veritable dreams, Anna and the French Kiss is the YA literary equivalent of a chef’s kiss.

5. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Aristotle and Dante are 15-year olds when they meet in the 1987. From that moment onward, a beautiful relationship unfurls between the two Mexican-American boys as they grow up in “the universe between boys and men.” It’s this friendship — and what it might mean for the two protagonists — that make Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe such a captivating success. It might move slowly, but this richly-drawn story is sure to reward patient readers.

6. Ask the Passengers by A.S. King

When a plane passes above everyone in the sky, there’s one person on the ground who notices: Astrid Jones, a high school senior in a small town. She watches airplanes and thinks of them because she knows that the passengers on the plane won’t judge her — or her innermost desires, most of which involve falling in love with another girl. A heartbreakingly honest coming-of-age story, Ask the Passengers asks real questions of society and human nature.

7. Autoboyography by Christina Lauren

When Tanner Scott moves to Utah with his family, he’s not expecting much out of it: he only has one semester of high school left. Besides, he’s bisexual and he’s not planning on coming out in what seems like a relatively conservative state. Then he makes the mistake of signing up for a writing seminar, which is unfortunately taught by Sebastian Brother: brilliant, prodigious, cute — and extremely Mormon. Every word in Autoboyography is pitch-perfect as it weaves an unforgettably heartrending story about falling in love in a writing class.

8. A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks

Nicholas Sparks’ A Walk to Remember is a classic in the genre — and it’s synonymous with the definition of a “tear-jerker.” In Beaufort, North Carolina, Landon Carter is a popular class president and Jamie Sullivan is the minister’s quiet daughter. She’s the last person that Landon thought that he would like, much less love. But fate might just have something to say about that in a devastating finale that will remind readers just what it’s like to find a miraculous love at the tender age of 17.

9. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

When queen bee Samantha Kingston dies in a car crash on the evening of February 12, or “Cupid Day,” she really doesn’t expect to wake up the next morning on February 12. Or the next next morning on the exact same day. In fact, she ends up reliving her last day for seven days in a row. Now Samantha has to figure out why this is happening — while going through the five stages of grief about her own death. Before I Fall , Lauren Oliver’s debut novel about second chances, was acclaimed when it was first published, and for good reason.

10. Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

He’s supposed to be the savior of the magical world, but here’s the truth: Simon Snow just isn’t a very good Chosen One . He accidentally sets things on fire all the time, he trips over his own robes, and, quite frankly, he has no idea what to do with the terrible monster that’s loose on school grounds. On top of all of that, Simon has to contend with an unfairly good-looking (but evil) roommate in Baz Pitch. So you tell him: what could go wrong in a single semester? Carry On is the addictive, romantic, and eminently lovable retelling of Harry Potter you didn’t realize you needed in your life until now.  

11. Dumplin' by Julie Murphy

Willowdean Dickson goes by Will — or “ Dumplin ’,” if you’re her pageant mom. One of the fat girls in her Texan small town, she’s really doing just fine, thank you very much. But then a cute boy kisses her one day. And then her beloved aunt suddenly dies, which makes Will decide to honor her memory by entering the Miss Clover City beauty pageant. The result will thrill and inspire readers in this eminently charming, poignant book about positivity and acceptance.

12. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Park is the boy whose nose is perpetually stuck in a book. Eleanor is the weird, smart girl who’s new in town. This is the story of how they met and fell in love. Resoundingly praised by none other than John Green, who described Eleanor & Park as a book that reminded him “not just what it’s like to be young and in love with a girl, but also what it’s like to be young and in love with a book,” this is a YA romance for anyone who knows what it’s like to experience the mind-bending heights of first love.

13. Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

For 17 long years, Maddy has not stepped a single foot outside of her house. The reason is simple: she has a rare disease that makes her allergic to everything, and doctors haven’t managed to sort it out. Until then, indoors is simply safer than outdoors . But then a tall, handsome guy named Olly moves in next door. Olly makes the outside world suddenly seem tantalizing. Whether that’s worth the risk of her own life is the question that Nicola Yoon explores in Everything, Everything , the beautifully-written book that became an instant New York Times bestseller.

14. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Hazel Grace thinks that her life has an expiration date, thanks to the almost-terminal cancer that’s resided in her body for a long time now. So she’s prepared for anything — except for Augustus Waters, who shows up one day at her Cancer Kid Support Group and changes everything. With more than a million copies sold worldwide and a blockbuster Hollywood movie made in its name, The Fault in Our Stars is the seminal young adult book of this decade.

15. Foolish Hearts by Emma Mills

It’s Claudia’s senior year and she did not expect to make an enemy of Iris, the meanest girl in school. But when they're both forced to audition for their school production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, the unexpected happens. Put that drama on top of the goofy, cute boy with dimples who keeps catching Claudia’s eye and Claudia’s life is about to get interesting. And, though the romance is sweet in Foolish Hearts , the real charm of this book lies in the burgeoning friendship between Claudia and Iris.

16. Geekerella by Ashley Poston

Elle Wittimer is a huge geek girl. Her fandom? Starfield : a classic sci-fi series. So she really can’t pass up the opportunity to enter a cosplay contest for the new Starfield movie, and to participate in a meet-and-greet with Darien Freeman, the actor who’s going to play the part of Prince Carmindor. You might be thinking right now (just like Elle’s stepsisters) that you already know how this tale turns out, but you also might be in for a surprise. Cinderella meets nerd culture in Geekerella , an enormously charming fairy tale with a whole lot of heart.  

17. I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

Jude and Noah are twins, inseparable ones. They grew up supporting each other: Jude’s the daredevil and Noah’s the artistic one who might just be in love with the boy next door. But then tragedy strikes, drastically changing their lives — and, fast forward several years later, they’re barely on speaking terms. Something has to give for them to journey back to one another’s side. But one thing’s for sure: this story is for both Noah and Jude to tell. I'll Give You the Sun is an exquisite must-read for fans of Nicola Yoon, Emma Straub, and Rainbow Rowell.

18. My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

For 10 years, Samantha Reed has lived next door to Jase Garrett without talking to him. In fact, the Reeds don’t have much to do with the Garretts at all. Loud, chaotic, and affectionate, the Garretts seem completely foreign to Samantha’s own prim family. That is, until the summer that Samantha meets Jase for the first time and finds herself falling for him — hard. My Life Next Door is not just another summer romance: Huntley Fitzgerald will make you swoon all over again with this timely novel about the tangles of first love and family.

19. Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist by David Levithan

Music is the soundtrack of your life, right? If that’s true (and it is), then Nick and Norah, who star in the very aptly named Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist , have a roller coaster of a time together for one night. On the surface, they share only two things in common: they’re both teenagers, and they both love good music. But as the night stretches on and on, they realize that this is a first date that might change the course of both of their lives — forever.

20. Pride by Ibi Zoboi

Ever heard of a little book called Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen? Here’s the remix that you’ve been waiting for: Pride , a retelling of Pride and Prejudice that’s set in modern-day Brooklyn. But there’s a twist: its cast stars all characters of color. Funny, warm, and vibrant, it’ll have you rooting all over again for Zuri Benitez, who instantly dislikes the new guy who’s just moved in across the street — Darius .

21. Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Something terrible happened to Echo Emerson one night, and she can’t quite remember all the details herself. This should keep her too preoccupied to notice Noah Hutchins, the hot loner, when she goes back to school. But two things are undeniable when Echo and Noah are together: they’re both broken. And when they’re with each other, even they can’t deny the chemistry that they have. With a healthy dose of angst and drama along the way, Pushing the Limits knows how to pull heartstrings as Katie McGarry weaves a mesmerizing story about two teenagers who should be completely mismatched for each other, but aren’t.

22. The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You by Lily Anderson

In The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You , Trixie Watson’s planned her senior year at her school of geniuses pretty much to a T: she’s going to buy a lot more comics, and she’s going to beat that annoying Ben West in the monthly school rankings. Getting a boyfriend doesn’t figure into her schedule at all. Nope. Of course, she doesn’t expect her best friend to cross enemy lines and start dating Ben’s best friend — forcing Trixia to spend more time with Ben. Worse things (like the Dalek Wars) have happened, she guesses. Nerd-heaven meets Much Ado About Nothing in this humorous, warm, and terrifically smart book that will delight the fangirl or fanboy in you.

23. The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

You might call Macy’s life a bit sheltered: during the day, she whiles away the hours shelving books at the local library, and her evenings are spent doing SAT drills. In fact, things are so routine and dull that she’s completely caught off-guard when Wes enters the picture. He’s artistic, cute, and kind. But most of all, he makes Macy question whether it really is better to have loved and lost, than never have loved at all. The Truth About Forever is a stunning, poignant offering by the queen of contemporary YA romance ­— one of Sarah Dessen’s standouts.

24. Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

Sydney might as well be invisible in her family. Constantly overshadowed by (and overlooked for) her brother, Peyton, Sydney doesn’t really know what a family feels like until she meets the Chathams: a chaotic, lovable family that welcomes her with open arms. And then there’s Mac, the gentle older brother who might turn Sydney’s summer upside-down. Saint Anything is another quietly lovely triumph by Sarah Dessen.

25. Slammed by Colleen Hoover

Colleen Hoover entered the literary scene with a bang with Slammed , a shimmering debut novel about a girl, a boy, and slam poetry. The girl? Layken (who also goes by Lake), who’s the resigned rock of a family that has just been shaken by the death of her father. The boy? Will — 21-years old, cute, and impossibly sweet. They strike it off within days of meeting each other. But just when Layken thinks she’s found a spark of hope in her life, a shocking turn of events changes everything — maybe once and for all.

26. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

The publishing sensation of 2016, Simon Vs. the Homo Sapien’s Agenda is the incredibly beloved story of Simon, who is sixteen years old and gay. Except that his entire school doesn’t know it yet and Simon really isn’t planning to telling anyone — until external circumstances say otherwise. As if that’s not enough, there’s also the matter of the cute, incredibly baffling guy with whom he thinks he’s falling in love. If you’d like to do yourself a favor, pick up this witty, openhearted bestselling novel up stat.

27. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

We can all agree that high school is horrible — and it might be even worse for introverts. Quiet and observant, Charlie is a “wallflower” at his school: he prefers to watch life pass rather than interact with it. Unfortunately, there’s so much that he has to experience, from first dates to family battles. And then there’s Sam, his best friend who’s stuck by his side all this time. This heartfelt cult favorite is Charlie’s coming-of-age story — and if you can’t get enough after you put it down, The Perks of Being a Wallflower was even adapted into a major motion picture starring Emma Watson in 2012.

28. The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord

The Start of Me and You begins tragically: a year ago, Paige Hancock’s boyfriend died in an accident and nothing has been the same since. But now she’s entering her junior year at school and she’s determined to get back into the groove of life again. And her first step in her plan to avoid being known as “The Girl Whose Boyfriend Drowned” is to date her old crush, Ryan Chase — but that’s surprisingly hard when Ryan’s cute cousin, Max, shows up in the picture. This might be the start of many new things, if only Paige can overcome the most obvious challenge in her perfect strategy: letting herself be herself again.

29. The Vincent Boys by Abbi Glines

Meet the Vincents: Sawyer Vincent, the boyfriend, is basically the perfect Prince Charming. Then there’s Beau Vincent — Prince Charming’s dangerous cousin, who’s entirely wrong for Ashton. And yet Ashton finds that she can’t stay away from him, especially when Sawyer leaves town in the summer. Now she has to pick one of The Vincent Boys , and she knows that she has to make the right choice.

30. To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

Yes, this is that novel that spawned the Internet’s new boyfriend, Noah Centineo, and the “To all the ___” memes that you’ve seen online. The sleeper hit of 2018 when it exploded in popularity on Netflix, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the extremely lovable story of Lara Jean, a girl who’s just trying to navigate high school. Instead of telling her crushes face to face that she likes them, she writes them a letter that they’ll never actually see… until the day that they do. Cue family shenanigans, school drama, and a fake relationship that might just change Lara’s world, once and for all.

31. When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

The girl: Dimple Shah, a precocious young girl who’s going to go to Stanford next year and could care less about finding the “Perfect Indian Husband.” The boy: Rishi Patel, a boy who may or may not be the arranged husband that Dimple Shah’s parents would choose for her. The stage where they meet for the first time: a summer program for aspiring web developers. Except that Dimple doesn’t yet realize that this might be a set-up by her parents in When Dimple Met Rishi , the sweet, wildly endearing book about opposites and the meaning of real love.

For the best YA fantasy books, check out Reedsy’s 30 recommended fantasies for teens .

Continue reading

More posts from across the blog.

The 60 Best Audiobooks of All Time

Whether you’re doing the dishes, running errands, or going for a long walk, audiobooks are a fantastic way to keep your mind active as well as your body. Especially in today’s busy and stressful world where there’s not necessarily time to sit down and read a phys...

40+ Best Book Review Podcasts of 2024

You might have heard about Bookstagram, BookTok, and BookTube, but have you found your favorite bookish podcast yet? We’ve scoured the airwaves and curated more than 40 of the best podcasts that entertain, inspire, review, and — most importantly — recommend the best books for ...

The 13 Best Octavia Butler Books Everyone Should Read

Octavia Butler is one of science fiction's greatest writers, but have you ever wondered where to start? Our complete guide to this legendary writer will walk you through all her books, so you can pick the perfect one for you.

Heard about Reedsy Discovery?

Or sign up with an

Or sign up with your social account

• Submit your book
• Reviewer directory

Capture hearts with your book

Use our three-act template to plan an unputdownable romance novel.

15 Canadian books for teens and young adults to check out in spring 2024

Social sharing.

From fantasy to contemporary to horror and more, here are the YA books by Canadians we are excited to get into this season.

Skater Boy by Anthony Nerada

Skater Boy follows Wesley "Big Mac" Mackenzie as he struggles to complete his senior year of high school. Wes spends most of his time skateboarding, hanging out with a trouble-making friend group and fostering his secret love for photography. When his mom brings him to a production of The Nutcracker , he meets and begins to become attached to its star performer, Tristan Monroe. Caught between his closeted self and his true identity, Wes comes to realize who he truly wants to be in this gay coming-of-age love story. 

Skater Boy is available now.

Anthony Nerada is a writer currently based in Vancouver. He previously studied psychology at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, as well as earning his diploma in public relations. Skater Boy is his debut novel.

Who We Are in Real Life by Victoria Koops

Reality and imagination come together in Who We Are in Real Life . Darcy has just moved to a small town with her two moms and misses her boyfriend and gaming friends. When Art invites her to join his Dungeons & Dragons game, they grow closer and he becomes conflicted. Can he stand up to his conservative father who's trying to put a stop to Darcy's queer-straight alliance club? Meanwhile, in the fantasy world of the game, they fight alongside one another against corruption. 

Who We Are in Real Life is available now.

14 Canadian books about love to read this Valentine's Day

Victoria Koops is a Saskatchewan-based author and practicing counsellor. Who We are in Real Life is her debut novel. 

Heartless Hunte r by Kristen Ciccarelli

In Heartless Hunter , the first book in the Crimson Moth duology, Rune is forced to hide her magic following a revolution which has divided people into witches and witch hunters. Socialite by day and vigilante by night, she sets herself on a mission to court Gideon Sharpe, an infamous hunter. As Gideon catches on to her ploy, the two begin to fall for one another in this YA romantic fantasy.

Heartless Hunter is available now.

Kristen Ciccarelli is also the author of Edgewood and the Iskari series. She is based in the Niagara Peninsula and worked many different jobs before becoming a writer. 

Tender Beasts by Liselle Sambury  

Following the death of their mother, Sunny Behre is left to take care of her four siblings and their family's wealth in the novel Tender Beasts . When Sunny finds her youngest brother, Dom, with the blood of his classmate on his hands, he becomes the leading suspect in a teen murder mystery. As more dead bodies are found, the two siblings become determined to find the true killer and clear Dom's name for the sake of their family in this eerie psychological thriller.

Tender Beasts is available now.

18 Canadian books for children and young adults to read during Black History Month 2024

Liselle Sambury is a Trinidadian-Canadian YA writer and blogger. Her debut novel, Blood Like Magic , was on the shortlist for the 2021 Governor General's Literary Award for young people's literature — text. Her other novels include Blood Like Fate and Delicious Monsters .

The Lightning Circle by Vikki VanSickle, illustrated by Laura K. Watson  

The Lightning Circle is the coming-of-age story of 17-year-old Nora Nichols told through verse, letter-writing and journal entries. Following a major heartbreak, Nora accepts a job as an arts and crafts counsellor for the summer at a camp in West Virginia. Trying to distract herself, Nora becomes more immersed in the lives and stories of her fellow girl campers and when she receives difficult news from home, she finds that she has a strong community of women to lean on.

When you can read it: March 26, 2024

Why Vikki VanSickle writes for her 11-year-old self

Vikki VanSickle is a Toronto-based writer. Her first novel, Words That Start with B , was shortlisted for the 2011 Libris Award's Children's Book of the Year. It was followed up with Love is a Four-Letter Word , Days that End in Y and Summer Days, Starry Nights . Her YA novel The Winnowing  was the winner of the OLA Red Maple Award.

And Then There Was Us by Kern Carter  

After spending four years in the safety of her father's home, 18-year-old Coi is not equipped to handle the sudden death of her abusive mother. And Then There Was Us is a coming-of-age story about the challenges of losing a parent as a teenager after already having survived so much pain. When Coi begins having lucid dreams about her mother and reconnecting with her side of the family, she is confronted by her loss and the complicated feelings it brings.

Kern Carter writes about the struggles of losing a parent in latest YA novel — read an excerpt now

When you can read it: April 9, 2024

Kern Carter is a Toronto author and freelance writer. His other books include the novella Thoughts of a Fractured Soul , the novel Beauty Scars and the YA novel Boys and Girls Screaming . He was named one of CBC Books' writers to watch in 2023 .

Crash Landing by Li Charmaine Anne

In the summer of 2010, Jay Wong is desperate to make some worthy memories before her senior year comes to close, whether that be landing a kickflip or meeting someone new. Enter Ash Chan with a skateboard, a secret and a competition they need Jay's help filming a submission for. Crash Landing tells Jay's story as she navigates her immigrant community in Vancouver and a newfound friendship that's becoming something more.

When you can read it: April 16, 2024 

Li Charmaine Anne is a writer with a BFA from the University of British Columbia in creative writing and English literature. Crash Landing  is their debut novel. 

The End of Always by Rebecca Phillips

The End of Always is a novel about Isobel, a teenage girl who moves with her family to a survivalist community. In the aftermath of her mother's death, Isobel's dad becomes obsessed with doomsday preparations: attending meetings and filling their home with rations and battery packs. When Isobel, her dad and her younger sister arrive at Endurance Ranch, she meets the son of another intense "prepper" family and starts to feel less alone. Can Isobel shield herself and her sister from her dad's paranoia and a life in isolation?

When you can read it: April 16, 2024

Rebecca Phillips is a Nova Scotian writer and copyeditor. Her other novels include Faking Perfect , Any Other Girl and The Girl You Thought I Was . 

The Lady of Rapture by Sarah Raughley  

The Lady of Rapture  is the third and final instalment of the Bones of Ruin trilogy. In The Lady of Rapture , the African tightrope walker, Iris, was thought to be immortal. In the aftermath of her calculated murder, the Enlightenment Committee realizes there's another Hiva like her and the threat of apocalypse still looms. Set on revenge, the end of days are numbered in the conclusion to the epic Victorian fantasy series.

The Lady of Rapture follows The Bones of Ruin and The Song of Wrath .

Sarah Raughley's YA novel The Song of Wrath is about missing memories and hidden truths

Sarah Raughley is a fantasy novelist from Southern Ontario. Her YA Effigies series includes Fate of Flames , Siege of Shadows and Legacy of Light . Raughley was the 2022 judge for CBC's student writing challenge, The First Page .

Song of the Six Realms by Judy I. Lin

In the epic gothic romance Song of the Six Realms , Xue is a young musician, orphaned and indentured to perform for the House of Flowing Water with no escape in sight. That is, until she performs for Duke Meng, a noble who offers Xue a deal: be the musician of his estate for one year and then he'll set her free. When he reveals himself to secretly be a divine ruler of the Celestial Realm, Xue is faced with the knowledge that she may be the key to saving the Six Realms from disaster. 

When you can read it: April 23, 2024

Judy I. Lin was born in Taiwan and immigrated to Canada with her family at a young age. She is the author of the Book of Tea duology, which includes  A Magic Steeped in Poison and A Venom Dark and Sweet .

The Stones of Burren Bay by Emily De Angelis

Fifteen-year-old Norie's world is turned upside down when a tragic car accident kills her father and injures her mother in the YA novel The Stones of Burren Bay . Norie is reeling from loss and grief of both a parent she despised and her love for art. Norie and her mom turn to an old friend, Dahlia, and her daughter who live on Manitoulin Island and run the Jolly Pot Tearoom and Burren Bay Lighthouse Museum. Through the island, Norie learns more about ancient Irish Celtic spiritualism and works to rebuild the pieces of her life and relationship with her mother. 

When you can read it: May 4, 2024

Emily De Angelis is an artist and writer born in Sudbury, Ont. Her poems and short stories have been featured in many anthologies and she is a graduate of the Humber School for Writers. The Stones of Burren Bay is her first YA novel. She currently resides between Woodstock, Ont., and Manitoulin Island. 

A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur  

A Crane Among Wolves takes place in Joseon in 1506, under the tyrannical reign of Yeonsan, a king hellbent on torturing the land, the women and burning books within the kingdom. After her older sister, Suyeon is captured by the king, Iseul leaves the comforts of her village to defy the capital and save her sister. Meanwhile, Prince Daehyun, the king's half-brother is staging a risky coup to dethrone him and save the people. When Iseul and Daehyun meet, they begrudgingly join forces to take down their common enemy.

When you can read it: May 14, 2024

Aparita Bhandari feels The Silence of Bones by June Hur is a must-read

June Hur is a South Korea-born writer based in Toronto. Her other novels include The Forest of Stolen Girls , The Silence of Bones and The Red Palace . 

Age 16 by Rosena Fung  

The dynamics of gender, race and motherhood between three generations of women are carefully explored in the coming-of-age graphic novel  Age 16 . In 1954 Guangdong, Mei Laan is 16 and seeks an arranged marriage so that she can be "free." In Hong Kong in 1972, her now teenage daughter Lydia is a dancer and longs for her approval. In Toronto in 2000, Lydia's daughter Roz is struggling with body image and is confronted by family secrets when her estranged por por, grandma, makes a surprise visit. 

Jael Richardson brings together writers across Canada in a new short story collection

When you can read it: May 28, 2024

Rosena Fung is an illustrator and comic artist from Toronto. Her work has appeared in newspapers, magazines, giant murals and on TV. She is also the creator of Living with Viola .

With Love, Miss Americanah by Jane Igharo

With Love, Miss Americanah is a contemporary romance novel about Enore Adesuwa, a Nigerian girl having just moved to America for her senior year following the death of her father. Still grappling with her own grief and her mother's high standards, Enore turns to her cousin Adrian for his expertise on American high schools, all of which comes in the form of classic teen movies. However, when Enore meets the handsome Davi Santiago, she forgets all the rules she and her mother had set for her and begins to chart her own path. 

When you can read it: June 18, 2024

• 8 Canadian books to read if you loved Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune

Jane Igharo came to Canada from Nigeria when she was 12 years old. She currently lives in Toronto. Her other novels include Ties That Tether and Where We End & Begin .

Misadventures in Ghosthunting by Melissa Yue

In the haunting middle grade novel Misadventures in Ghosthunting , Emma Wong is finding it difficult to balance her schoolwork and the fact that she sees ghosts all the time. Emma has a lot to contend with after her family's altar is set on fire by an unknown figure. She has to deal with Henry, a loathsome ghosthunter, her curious and flighty ghost friends and the discovery that her grandma is secretly an exorcist. Now faced with her family's ghostly legacy, Emma must harness her skills in magical Chinese calligraphy to protect the Wongs.

Misadventures in Ghosthunting  is recommended for ages 8 to 12.

When you can read it: Aug. 27, 2024

Melissa Yue is a writer and lover of ghost stories. She previously studied at the University of Victoria and worked in English as a Second Language education.  Misadventures in Ghosthunting is her first novel.

Corrections

• A previous version of this article listed Misadventures in Ghosthunting by Melissa Yue as a young adult novel. The correct recommended age group for readers is ages 8 to 12. Apr 02, 2024 4:17 PM ET

Related Stories

• NEW ORIGINAL WRITING 5 Canadian writers reflect on identity in this series from the 2023 Governor General's Literary Award winners
• The best moments from Canada Reads 2024
• Canada Reads Heather O'Neill, championing The Future by Catherine Leroux, wins Canada Reads 2024
• SPRING PREVIEW 26 works of Canadian nonfiction coming out in spring 2024

Add some “good” to your morning and evening.

Sign up for our newsletter. We’ll send you book recommendations, CanLit news, the best author interviews on CBC and more.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Google Terms of Service apply.

• Police and Court Reports

Neighborhood News

• National News
• International News
• Local Sports
• Ohio Sports
• National Sports
• Local Columns
• Letters to the Editor
• Engagements
• Anniversaries
• Births/Birthdays
• Classifieds
• Garage Sales
• Terms of Service
• Submit News
• Browse notices
• Place a notice

• Today's Paper

Subscribe Today

New book groups forming at rodman public library.

ALLIANCE – Two new book groups are forming at Rodman Public Library this spring.

For adults who like to read literature written for young adults, there is the I Read YA discussion group, which debuted on April 1. For those who love culinary arts, the Cookbook Club, which debuts on April 30, is the right recipe.

There is no formal membership at Rodman Library book clubs, and participants and pick and choose what months they choose to participate, although registration may be required.

Here is more about the two newest book groups at RPL:

COOKBOOK CLUB

As the adult circulation manager at Rodman Public Library and the facilitator of the Maker Monday program, Debbie Mikesell has a lot on her plate.

Now she wants to help put something delicious on yours.

A cooking enthusiast for more than 30 years, Mikesell is forming a Cookbook Club at RPL. The monthly meeting will kick off on Tuesday, April 30 at 6 p.m. with plans to meet on the last Tuesday of each month.

“I am excited to start this new program,” said Mikesell. “This is an opportunity for people who like to cook to come together, have some fun, and share some techniques, tips, and tricks that they have learned in the kitchen.”

Each month, Mikesell will pick a popular cookbook that will serve as the selection. Those planning to take part in that month’s meeting will come to the Main Library to borrow a copy of the cookbook and to register, which they can also do on the RPL online calendar. Each participant will choose any recipe in that book to make or bake at

home. Participants should inform Mikesell by email or phone which dish they intend to make.

When the group gathers for its meeting, each cook will talk about their experience following their chosen recipe. They can share how easy or difficult it was, what they did differently, what they might do differently the next time, or how they think it could be changed.

Participants are also welcome to bring small samples of what they made for others to try, but are not required to do so. Participants will not be required to sample anything, if they do not wish to do so.

The cookbook chosen for April is the Taste of Home All-American Cookbook.

For more information about Cookbook Club, call Mikesell at 330-821-2665, ext. 210, or send an email to [email protected].

Rodman Public Library’s Jaime Gross enjoys reading novels written for younger audiences, those books with the red YA labels on the spine.

The reference librarian knows there are other adults who share her interest in Young Adult literature.

She aims to bring some of them together for monthly discussions as the facilitator of a new book club at RPL – I Read YA.

“There are many good YA books out there and adults who enjoy reading them,” said Gross. “This new book discussion group will give those of us who really enjoy the YA genre of literature a chance to meet, discuss our favorite books, and discover new ones. Anyone who likes this style of literature is welcome to come to our group.”

Regular meetings will be held every first Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. Registration is required to attend at rodmanlibrary.com

The selected title for the May 6 meeting is The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, while the selection for the June 3 meeting is An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir.

Books are available for checkout at the reference desk of the Main Library

For more information, call 330-821-2665, ext. 213.

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

• Daily Newsletter
• Breaking News

Rodman Public Library to offer a variety of programs

ALLIANCE – The Rodman Public Library will offer a variety of programs in the next two months. – Young ...

Ruritans Club Spring Chicken Barbecue dinner

The Fairfield Ruritans Club will hold its Annual Spring Chicken Barbecue April 20 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Fox ...

TUE/4-9 Columbiana School board, 6 p.m., high school media center Planning Commission, 7 p.m., city hall; Zoom ...

ALLIANCE – Two new book groups are forming at Rodman Public Library this spring. For adults who like to read ...

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

On Saturday, April 27, the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency ...

On the Calendar

MON/4-8 Beloit West Branch Board of Education special meeting, 8 a.m., West Branch High School ...

Starting at $4.39/week.

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

• View all journals
• Explore content
• About the journal
• Publish with us
• Sign up for alerts
• BOOK REVIEW
• 29 March 2024

The great rewiring: is social media really behind an epidemic of teenage mental illness?

• Candice L. Odgers 0

Candice L. Odgers is the associate dean for research and a professor of psychological science and informatics at the University of California, Irvine. She also co-leads international networks on child development for both the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research in Toronto and the Jacobs Foundation based in Zurich, Switzerland.

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

You have full access to this article via your institution.

Social-media platforms aren’t always social. Credit: Getty

The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness Jonathan Haidt Allen Lane (2024)

Two things need to be said after reading The Anxious Generation . First, this book is going to sell a lot of copies, because Jonathan Haidt is telling a scary story about children’s development that many parents are primed to believe. Second, the book’s repeated suggestion that digital technologies are rewiring our children’s brains and causing an epidemic of mental illness is not supported by science. Worse, the bold proposal that social media is to blame might distract us from effectively responding to the real causes of the current mental-health crisis in young people.

Haidt asserts that the great rewiring of children’s brains has taken place by “designing a firehose of addictive content that entered through kids’ eyes and ears”. And that “by displacing physical play and in-person socializing, these companies have rewired childhood and changed human development on an almost unimaginable scale”. Such serious claims require serious evidence.

Collection: Promoting youth mental health

Haidt supplies graphs throughout the book showing that digital-technology use and adolescent mental-health problems are rising together. On the first day of the graduate statistics class I teach, I draw similar lines on a board that seem to connect two disparate phenomena, and ask the students what they think is happening. Within minutes, the students usually begin telling elaborate stories about how the two phenomena are related, even describing how one could cause the other. The plots presented throughout this book will be useful in teaching my students the fundamentals of causal inference, and how to avoid making up stories by simply looking at trend lines.

Hundreds of researchers, myself included, have searched for the kind of large effects suggested by Haidt. Our efforts have produced a mix of no, small and mixed associations. Most data are correlative. When associations over time are found, they suggest not that social-media use predicts or causes depression, but that young people who already have mental-health problems use such platforms more often or in different ways from their healthy peers 1 .

These are not just our data or my opinion. Several meta-analyses and systematic reviews converge on the same message 2 – 5 . An analysis done in 72 countries shows no consistent or measurable associations between well-being and the roll-out of social media globally 6 . Moreover, findings from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study, the largest long-term study of adolescent brain development in the United States, has found no evidence of drastic changes associated with digital-technology use 7 . Haidt, a social psychologist at New York University, is a gifted storyteller, but his tale is currently one searching for evidence.

Of course, our current understanding is incomplete, and more research is always needed. As a psychologist who has studied children’s and adolescents’ mental health for the past 20 years and tracked their well-being and digital-technology use, I appreciate the frustration and desire for simple answers. As a parent of adolescents, I would also like to identify a simple source for the sadness and pain that this generation is reporting.

A complex problem

There are, unfortunately, no simple answers. The onset and development of mental disorders, such as anxiety and depression, are driven by a complex set of genetic and environmental factors. Suicide rates among people in most age groups have been increasing steadily for the past 20 years in the United States. Researchers cite access to guns, exposure to violence, structural discrimination and racism, sexism and sexual abuse, the opioid epidemic, economic hardship and social isolation as leading contributors 8 .

How social media affects teen mental health: a missing link

The current generation of adolescents was raised in the aftermath of the great recession of 2008. Haidt suggests that the resulting deprivation cannot be a factor, because unemployment has gone down. But analyses of the differential impacts of economic shocks have shown that families in the bottom 20% of the income distribution continue to experience harm 9 . In the United States, close to one in six children live below the poverty line while also growing up at the time of an opioid crisis, school shootings and increasing unrest because of racial and sexual discrimination and violence.

The good news is that more young people are talking openly about their symptoms and mental-health struggles than ever before. The bad news is that insufficient services are available to address their needs. In the United States, there is, on average, one school psychologist for every 1,119 students 10 .

Haidt’s work on emotion, culture and morality has been influential; and, in fairness, he admits that he is no specialist in clinical psychology, child development or media studies. In previous books, he has used the analogy of an elephant and its rider to argue how our gut reactions (the elephant) can drag along our rational minds (the rider). Subsequent research has shown how easy it is to pick out evidence to support our initial gut reactions to an issue. That we should question assumptions that we think are true carefully is a lesson from Haidt’s own work. Everyone used to ‘know’ that the world was flat. The falsification of previous assumptions by testing them against data can prevent us from being the rider dragged along by the elephant.

A generation in crisis

Two things can be independently true about social media. First, that there is no evidence that using these platforms is rewiring children’s brains or driving an epidemic of mental illness. Second, that considerable reforms to these platforms are required, given how much time young people spend on them. Many of Haidt’s solutions for parents, adolescents, educators and big technology firms are reasonable, including stricter content-moderation policies and requiring companies to take user age into account when designing platforms and algorithms. Others, such as age-based restrictions and bans on mobile devices, are unlikely to be effective in practice — or worse, could backfire given what we know about adolescent behaviour.

A third truth is that we have a generation in crisis and in desperate need of the best of what science and evidence-based solutions can offer. Unfortunately, our time is being spent telling stories that are unsupported by research and that do little to support young people who need, and deserve, more.

Nature 628 , 29-30 (2024)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-00902-2

Heffer, T., Good, M., Daly, O., MacDonell, E. & Willoughby, T. Clin. Psychol. Sci. 7 , 462–470 (2019).

Article   Google Scholar  

Hancock, J., Liu, S. X., Luo, M. & Mieczkowski, H. Preprint at SSRN https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4053961 (2022).

Odgers, C. L. & Jensen, M. R. J. Child Psychol. Psychiatry 61 , 336–348 (2020).

Article   PubMed   Google Scholar  

Orben, A. Soc . Psychiatry Psychiatr. Epidemiol. 55 , 407–414 (2020).

Valkenburg, P. M., Meier, A. & Beyens, I. Curr. Opin. Psychol. 44 , 58–68 (2022).

Vuorre, M. & Przybylski, A. K. R. Sci. Open Sci. 10 , 221451 (2023).

Miller, J., Mills, K. L., Vuorre, M., Orben, A. & Przybylski, A. K. Cortex 169 , 290–308 (2023).

Martínez-Alés, G., Jiang, T., Keyes, K. M. & Gradus, J. L. Annu. Rev. Publ. Health 43 , 99–116 (2022).

Danziger, S. Ann. Am. Acad. Pol. Soc. Sci. 650 , 6–24 (2013).

US Department of Education. State Nonfiscal Public Elementary/Secondary Education Survey 2022–2023 (National Center for Education Statistics, 2024).

Google Scholar  

Download references

Competing Interests

The author declares no competing interests.

Related Articles

• Public health

Use fines from EU social-media act to fund research on adolescent mental health

Correspondence 09 APR 24

AI-fuelled election campaigns are here — where are the rules?

World View 09 APR 24

Why loneliness is bad for your health

News Feature 03 APR 24

Circulating myeloid-derived MMP8 in stress susceptibility and depression

Article 07 FEB 24

Only 0.5% of neuroscience studies look at women’s health. Here’s how to change that

World View 21 NOV 23

Bird flu outbreak in US cows: why scientists are concerned

News Explainer 08 APR 24

Adopt universal standards for study adaptation to boost health, education and social-science research

Correspondence 02 APR 24

Abortion-pill challenge provokes doubt from US Supreme Court

News 26 MAR 24

PhD, Postdoc and Technician positions in the Cluster of Excellence "MicroPlanet"

PhD, Postdoc and Technician positions in interdisciplinary microbiome project

Austria (AT) - Vienna, and Lower Austria

University of Vienna - Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science

Assistant Professor in Integrated Photonics

We offer you the chance to design a unique and autonomous research program, networking with specialists, students and entrepreneurs.

Gothenburg (Stad), Västra Götaland (SE)

Chalmers University of Technology

Postdoctoral Fellow (Aging, Metabolic stress, Lipid sensing, Brain Injury)

Seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow to apply advanced knowledge & skills to generate insights into aging, metabolic stress, lipid sensing, & brain Injury.

Dallas, Texas (US)

UT Southwestern Medical Center - Douglas Laboratory

High-Level Talents at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University

For clinical medicine and basic medicine; basic research of emerging inter-disciplines and medical big data.

Nanchang, Jiangxi, China

The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University

POSTDOCTORAL Fellow -- DEPARTMENT OF Surgery – BIDMC, Harvard Medical School

The Division of Urologic Surgery in the Department of Surgery at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School invites applicatio...

Boston, Massachusetts (US)

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Quick links

• Explore articles by subject
• Guide to authors
• Editorial policies

• Discussions
• Reading Challenge
• Kindle Notes & Highlights
• Favorite genres
• Friends’ recommendations
• Account settings

Best Young Adult Books

A book’s total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book.

People Who Voted On This List (83547)

Post a comment » Comments Showing 1-50 of 1,291 (1291 new)

Related News

• Create New List
• Lists I Created
• Lists I've Voted On
• Lists I've Liked

Anyone can add books to this list.

Saving My Votes

Friends votes, how to vote.

To vote on existing books from the list, beside each book there is a link vote for this book clicking it will add that book to your votes.

To vote on books not in the list or books you couldn't find in the list, you can click on the tab add books to this list and then choose from your books, or simply search.

Welcome back. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account.

Are you in the dark about the eclipse ? Take our quiz.

Millions of north americans are about to experience a once-in-a-lifetime event. how much do you know about total solar eclipses.

There are only a few things in life worth the hype: ice cream, Season 1 of “Ted Lasso” and total solar eclipses.

On April 8 , the moon will block out the sun’s surface and cast a shadow across a tiny sliver of North America. Millions of people will experience the magic of this celestial dance: darkened skies, cooler air, stars and planets visible in the middle of the day, and nighttime animals awakening. Gazing at the sun during totality, people can experience transcendence and awe typically felt by astronauts in space.

2024 total solar eclipse

But how much do you know about what you’re seeing? Total solar eclipses have been documented for at least 5,000 years, but they won’t be around forever. They have also played critical roles in pivotal scientific discoveries and popular media. They’re also rare: By the time we have another one in the United States, we might have people on the moon.

Test your knowledge and see if you can eclipse your friends in this quiz.

Question 1 of 9

After the april 8, 2024, event, when will the next total solar eclipse take place in the united states, question 2 of 9, our moon is slowly drifting away from earth. how long until earth will no longer experience a total solar eclipse.

Question 3 of 9

As the moon blocks out the sun’s surface, the sun’s outer atmosphere is visible. what is this outermost layer called, question 4 of 9, how often do total solar eclipses occur anywhere across the world.

Question 5 of 9

Which popular young-adult book series is named after moon and sun phenomena, question 6 of 9, which president looked at the sun during a solar eclipse without special glasses.

Question 7 of 9

‘eclipse island’ is located in which of the following countries, question 8 of 9, which u.s. cities are in the path of totality for both the 2017 and 2024 eclipses.

Question 9 of 9

What theory was proved correct after an experiment during the 1919 total solar eclipse, which lasted over six minutes.

You need to answer every question to see your result. You’re missing questions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 .

About this story

Design and development by Stephanie Hays. Illustrations by Lauren Martin. Design editing by Chloe Meister. Editing by Juliet Eilperin and Paulina Firozi.