Andrea Tang
[isbn]
This deliciously compelling magical whodunit reads like a Knives Out film led by an Asian American Nancy Drew. Despite her mother's hopes for law school and her father's wishes for engineering, Tabatha has devoted herself to the art of sorcery, and landed an apprenticeship with the renowned Sorcerer Solomon to boot. But when Solomon is murdered, Tabatha and his youngest son must work together to clear their names by finding the real... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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H. E. Edgmon
[isbn]
PNW author Edgmon follows up his Witch King duology with this series starter about a nonbinary Seminole teen who happens to be a reincarnated god. With the weight of lifetimes on their shoulders, Gem needs to face down their pasts to choose their future. But what futures do you have when the world will only see you as a monster?
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Lex Croucher
[isbn]
Arthur and Gwendoline attempt to live up to their namesakes in this medieval romcom that is, delightfully, not an "enemies-to-lovers" tale, but an "enemies-to-queer-solidarity-that-bucks-tradition-and-arguably-fate" romp. If you thought the only thing A Knight's Tale was missing was a queer love story, or if you did time in the BBC Merlin fandom, this one's for you.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Margaret Owen
[isbn]
If we had the option for audio-clip blurbs, this one would be me squealing at a pitch only dogs can hear. I immediately fell madly in love with Owen’s 2021 masterpiece Little Thieves, a smart, snarky, thoughtful retelling of “The Goose Girl” fairy tale grounded in female agency. (I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, when the payoff of the literal “Find the Lady” game happened, I lost my mind.) That book stands wonderfully on its... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland
[isbn]
Gratton (Queens of Innis Lear) and Ireland (Dread Nation) combine their considerable skills to craft a fantasy world of warring Houses, prophetic doom, and ancient magic in this fantastic duology opener! If you’re a fan of Leigh Bardugo or Sabaa Tahir and you’re watching House of the Dragon, you’ll want to pick this one up. War Prince Talon Goldhoard is determined to uphold his family’s (House Dragon’s) rule. But when the young woman his... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Sarah Underwood
[isbn]
This YA debut is justifiably being compared to Madeline Miller’s Circe for its focus on undersung women of Greek myth. On a deeper level, like Miller, Underwood’s poetic turn of phrase gives the novel a racing heartbeat that will have you reading as quickly as you can from the first line: “A silent maid braided Leto’s hair into an elaborate crown for her execution.” Underwood has here crafted a new myth, grounded in the tragic tale of... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Joy McCullough
[isbn]
McCullough showed her historical skillset with National Book Award Longlist debut Blood Water Paint, a novel in verse that fiercely told the story of painter and survivor Artemisia Gentileschi. Here, she turns those skills to Shakespeare’s dead heroines (primarily Lavinia, Juliet, Cordelia, and Ophelia, though plenty of others appear as well), who open this combination novel-in-verse/script-style tale, meeting in the liminal space under... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Emily Lloyd-Jones
[isbn]
Part heist novel, part Welsh fairytale, this magnificent standalone follows the kingdom’s last water diviner, Mer, on a quest for vengeance and freedom from the prince that abused her powers. With a former spymaster, a fae-marked fighter, and a princess of thieves, Mer sets out to destroy a prince — but ends up carrying the fate of a kingdom.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Sunya Mara
[isbn]
The perfect new book to tide you over until the second season of Shadow and Bone! In this YA fantasy debut, Vesper is desperate to keep her revolutionary father from being executed like her mother was. To save his life, she'll need to catch the eye of a cruel prince — and perhaps even brave the fantastical, deadly Storm.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Casey McQuiston
[isbn]
Beloved queer romance author McQuiston (Red, White & Royal Blue, One Last Stop) has penned their first YA novel. I can’t recommend it enough! Reminiscent of Green’s Paper Towns with a fem romance twist, Chloe is on the hunt for answers when popular girl Shara kisses her and then vanishes.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Kelly Quindlen
[isbn]
The queer girl high school sports rom-com of my dreams! After a fender bender, Scottie has to carpool with her nemesis, Irene. At least it’s an opportunity to pretend-date to get back at Tally, her ex. Only, Irene has a lot more depth than Scottie’s ever given her credit for…
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Daniel José Older
[isbn]
The Rick Riordan Presents imprint is a platform for authors of color to craft modern myths based in their own cultures, heritages, and experiences. Ballad and Dagger marks the imprint’s first foray into YA, and Daniel José Older is the perfect author for the job. The Brooklyn diaspora community of the (fictional) sunken island of San Madrigal — once home to Cuban Santeros, Sephardic Jews, and pirates — is vibrant, full of real joy and... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Judy I. Lin
[isbn]
I immediately fell in love with this unforgettably unique debut (first in a duology) from Judy I. Lin. Young teamaker Ning is determined to join the competition to choose the next shénnóng-shi (a master of the magical art of tea) of the Imperial court. Ning cares more about the favor granted to the winner; she’s determined to save her sister, suffering from a poisoned tea that killed their mother. But that poison is part of a larger plot, and... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Akwaeke Emezi
[isbn]
In this standalone prequel to Emezi’s masterful, award-winning Pet, we see the revolution that shaped Jam’s mother, Bitter, and turned the town of Lucille into a supposed utopia. The best speculative fiction holds a mirror to modern society, and Emezi unflinchingly reflects the contemporary struggles of Black Americans, the queer community, and other marginalized groups in their insightful, poetic writing.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Vanessa Len
[isbn]
A blockbuster fantasy debut! Joan’s family are monsters: not-quite-humans that can travel through time by stealing minutes and years off the lives of the mundane. Joan doesn’t learn the family secret until the day her family is murdered by a monster hunter prophesied to bring an end to her kind — who just so happens to be the coworker she’s been crushing on all summer. On the run with a monster from a rival family, Joan is quickly entangled in... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Katharyn Blair
[isbn]
This fantasy debut is just plain fun, even in its darkest moments. There’s been a resurgence of powers in the world, but Vesper’s gift feels more like a curse: she can summon anyone’s worst fears into reality, and the more she tries to bottle it up, the more violently it bursts out. An underground tournament with a powered-up prize of rewriting the past could be her chance to set things right — if she can train as a fighter and master her fear in... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Preston Norton
[isbn]
One of the best, most original, compelling YA reads I’ve ever had the profound luck to pick up. Hope Cassidy and her sisters, Faith and Charity, have been raised in an ultra-conservative mega-church. When Faith is outed, she runs away to avoid being sent to conversion “therapy,” and Hope finds solace in rock 'n' roll. Channeling her inner Joplin, Hope forms a band with Danny — her newly out, longtime crush — performing anti-establishment... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Rainbow Rowell
[isbn]
So, you’ve averted the apocalypse: Now what? Simon was willing to sacrifice his magic to save the world, but even a voluntary sacrifice leaves a wound. Enter boyfriend Baz, best friend Penny, and the road trip of the century. What comes after the “Chosen One” narrative? What do you do after your life’s purpose has been fulfilled?
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Margaret Owen
[isbn]
No one in Sabor trusts the Crows. They have no magical birthright; they’re nomads and plague tenders (being the only caste with immunity doesn’t earn them any goodwill); and their witches have an uncomfortable gift: they can channel other castes’ birthrights through bone. When Fie, a Crow chieftain-in-training, finds herself in the midst of a royal conspiracy, she just might be able to leverage her help to make a better life for her people — if... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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DK
[isbn]
This newest installment in LEGO’s excellent Build Your Own Adventure series takes young inventors to the hallowed halls of Hogwarts! The perfect gift for the kid in your life with a giant box of Legos and no idea of what to make; this book has suggestions to build their way from Privet Drive to Diagon Alley.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Emma Berquist
[isbn]
A YA murder mystery with a paranormal twist! Lexi has a terrible gift: whenever she touches someone, she sees how and when they’ll die, and she’s powerless to stop it. When the ghost of a (beautiful, vivacious) girl whose death she foresaw shows up asking Lexi’s help in revenge, she’s pulled into investigating a series of murders that hits uncomfortably close to home.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Sabaa Tahir
[isbn]
First in an excellent trilogy, An Ember in the Ashes introduces an ironfisted empire on the brink of civil war. Scholar Laia didn’t plan on rebellion until her brother was charged with treason. Soldier Elias may be the Empire’s poster child, but he plans to defect. When their paths intertwine, magic ensues — and the Empire may fall.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Kelly Barnhill
[isbn]
This gorgeous, masterful book reads like the best of fairy tales. Every year, the people of the Protectorate make a terrible sacrifice to keep the witch of the woods at bay — but nothing is quite as it seems, and truth buried deep will always, eventually, erupt. Can Luna piece the whole story together before it’s too late?
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Margaret Rogerson
[isbn]
Elisabeth was raised in the Great Library, where sorcerous texts are kept appeased and imprisoned lest they transform into menacing beasts. When one such monster escapes, Elisabeth is accused of conspiracy. To prove her innocence and catch the real culprits, she’ll need the help of sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn — but can she trust anyone who gained their power from a deal with a demon? Reminiscent of Howl’s Moving Castle and Strange the... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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A. S. King
[isbn]
A. S. King is known for stories that defy categorization (save for categorically bowling me over with their brilliance), and Dig. is no exception. Her immersive writing meanders between a handful of teenagers and the retired couple that eventually connects them, like tangled roots climbing back to their source. (That source is a potato. It will make sense later.)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Jennifer Donnelly
[isbn]
By the time Isabelle cuts off her toes to squeeze her foot into the glass slipper, she’s already spent years slicing parts of herself away to better fit in a world that insists only a certain type of girl is worthy: demure, charming, and — most importantly — pretty. To build a future past the end of the fairy tale, Isabelle must toe the line between Fate and Chance, rectifying her mistakes and reclaiming the pieces she’s left behind to become the... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Nicki Pau Preto
[isbn]
They say the Phoenix Riders all perished in the war, but surely some are still out there. Surely Veronyka and Val, sisters with the Riders’ gifts of animal communication, stand a chance at finding surviving phoenixes to bond with — like the sister queens that ignited the war and perished in its fiery conclusion. This electrifying first half of Preto’s planned duology establishes a society on the brink of collapse — or, perhaps, rebirth.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Natalie C Anderson
[isbn]
Refugee, homeless, child soldier, spy: Abdi has been all these things and more to keep his family alive. Where can he go from here? Darting back and forth in time, this is a compelling story about a young man deciding whether to let himself drown or to kick back against the forces trying to keep him under the waves.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Leigh Bardugo
[isbn]
Civil war left the country of Ravka scarred — quite literally in the case of its king, Nikolai Lantsov. But scars are the least of his worries: there are monsters lurking in Nikolai’s past, and if he wants to save his country, he’ll need to vanquish his demons. Bardugo is in fine form in this return to her compelling Grishaverse!
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Django Wexler
[isbn]
Isoka, a ward boss in the slums, is used to violence. She’ll gladly confront and create it to keep her younger sister safe. But when her hidden magical talent is discovered, that dedication is held over her head: to save her sister, she must become a sacrifice to a ghost ship of legend and claim it for the emperor. With a compelling cast of characters and world building reminiscent of Brandon Sanderson, I can’t wait to see where this series goes... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
[isbn]
YA greats Albertalli and Silvera’s collaboration is more than a love story: it’s an ode to the people whose edges line up with ours like puzzle pieces, who shape our lives and bring out the best in us. A summer — a life — can change in a single moment, if we open our hearts and let it.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Brandon Sanderson
[isbn]
Spensa has lived her whole life in the underground caverns of Detritus, the shipwreck planet that houses the last bastion of humanity. Her father inspired her to fly, but his desertion branded her a coward’s daughter. How can she claim the stars if the admiralty won’t let her reach them? A thrilling start to a sweeping new series!
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Laini Taylor
[isbn]
Return to the exquisite waking dreamworld of Portland author Laini Taylor’s Strange the Dreamer. In the mythical city of Weep, Sarai and Lazlo have been transformed. Can a ghost and a godspawn end a centuries-long cycle of fear and hate? Can we choose forgiveness as our justice, or will the lure of vengeance always be too strong?
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Natalie C Parker
[isbn]
Captain Caledonia Styx helms the Mors Navis, leading a 53-woman crew wanted for their refusal to bow to Aric Athair’s tyrannical Bullet fleet. But when a Bullet defects, saving a member of her crew and offering information, Caledonia must choose between her uncompromising principles and a chance to save someone she thought she’d doomed. A joyous, futuristic adventure on the high seas, Seafire is a much-needed celebration of sisterhood in... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Kristin Cashore
[isbn]
I am wildly in love with Cashore's Seven Kingdoms trilogy, so when I heard she had a standalone novel coming out, I pretty much lost my mind. This bizarre gem of a book includes — but is not limited to — umbrellas, espionage, wildlife photography, quantum physics, Winnie the Pooh, and art fraud. In short, it is an unforgettable adventure that you'll simply have to experience for yourself.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Jesse Andrews
[isbn]
In a world where size is literally dependent upon wealth, Warner is littlepoor — rat-sized. His unique speech and bleak sense of humor make this book shine. When society is set up to keep you small, here’s to rooting for the little guy!
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Tamora Pierce
[isbn]
I first read Tamora Pierce the summer I turned 12, and fell in love with her particular brand of magic. This book (a standalone prequel to Wild Magic) is sure to win over new fans of all ages and recapture the attention of longtime readers.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Malinda Lo
[isbn]
This spellbinding read is perfect for fans of fractured fairy tales or Celtic mythology. A coming-of-age tale about grief and love set against the backdrop of a richly imagined fantasy world, this Cinderella retelling has chilling specters at its edges, and will keep its claws in you long after you've turned the last page.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Maggie Stiefvater
[isbn]
I don't have the words to describe this book, except to say that it feels like finally reaching home in the middle of the night after a long journey and finding that someone has left the porch light on for you. Stiefvater deftly straddles the line between magic and magical realism, populating her porch light world with a cast of unforgettable characters that you will love like family.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Garth Nix
[isbn]
Sabriel lives in Ancelstierre, where magic isn't real — or so they say. Across the Wall in the Old Kingdom, the living dead walk, and Sabriel must take up the bells of the Abhorsen, a Necromancer tasked with keeping the dead at rest. A fascinating, unforgettable blending of worlds from a master storyteller!
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Philip Pullman
[isbn]
This oft-banned book is a must-read for any fan of sci-fi or fantasy. In a world where the soul takes the shape of an animal companion, or daemon, young Lyra Belacqua and her daemon, Pan, leave their home in Oxford to embark on a dangerous adventure to the Arctic — and beyond. This trilogy contains some of the most thoughtful, beautifully written genre fiction I've ever encountered.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Jandy Nelson
[isbn]
The best contemporary YA fiction I've ever read, hands down. Twins Noah and Jude (both artists) alternate as storytellers, with a three-year gap between their narratives. Both have beautiful, clear voices, and you won't be able to rest until you see their stories through (and find out what happened in the years in between).
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Benjamin Alire Sáenz
[isbn]
I picked up this book after hearing a friend talk about how it treats its characters so gently, with such kindness. It's true. Part coming-of-age, part love story, entirely beautiful, this book deserves every accolade it's been given and more.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Libba Bray
[isbn]
This gem of a book operates on a simple concept: take Lord of the Flies, but instead of using stranded schoolboys to illuminate the animal nature of man, Bray uses a plane crash of beauty queens to illuminate the tenacity of woman. The particular young women Bray writes are what takes this satirical adventure from good to great. None of them are without fault or flaw, but by the end, you find yourself rooting for each and every one.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Bethany Baptiste
[isbn]
The one good thing to come from Review-Bomb Gate is that I get to tell you about this book, a book I probably wouldn’t have known about without The Situation. I get to tell you about family relationships, and allegories for real-world injustices, and magical girls who will stop at nothing to protect their family, both blood and found. I get to tell you about queer representation, and how love really will save us. You get a wonderful book full of... (read more)
Recommended by Lauren M
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Melinda Salisbury
[isbn]
Salisbury's retelling of the origins of Persephone through her protagonist, Corey, is a gripping tale of grief, betrayal and friendship. Her Dark Wings is an origin story, focusing on Corey becoming Persephone, Queen of the Underworld. How does one go from regular teenager to Queen of the Underworld? It all unravels in this page-turning tale.
Recommended by Veronica A
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Susan Dennard
[isbn]
Winnie Wednesday is back! She's passed the Hunter trials, and the forest is still holding onto its secrets and sending monsters her way. Is there really a Whisperer monster? Why does nobody believe her when she says it's not the werewolf, and what are those Dianas really up to. Get ready for some slow-burn romance, changing friendships, changing family dynamics... and is being a Luminary really all it's cracked up to be? I'm still... (read more)
Recommended by Mecca A.
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Kendare Blake
[isbn]
Behind every great hero is an Aristene. Mythical female warriors who are sent by the Goddess, to guide their heroes to victory and Glory. They are the Heromakers. Reed's trials will resonate the most with the "horse-girls," the ones that want to be immortal, that want their horses to live with them forever, and go into great battles together. This was such a fun, unputdownable fantasy read that will leave you longing for the next installment.
Recommended by Mecca A.
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Andrew Joseph White
[isbn]
Andrew Joseph White blew me away with Hell Followed With Us, so I was on board for this one before ever reading the synopsis. Need to know: somehow, AJW has asserted a new corner of queer horror that is retrograde, demented, deeply personal, and in the BioShock wheelhouse. Del Toro but make it YA, trans, and more bloody. This book!
Recommended by Stacy W.
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Tricia Levenseller
[isbn]
This is a fast-paced action-adventure story with a fierce female heroine and a fiery enemies-to-lovers romance. I finished the book in one night and immediately bought the next in the series.
Recommended by Sarah B.
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Edith Pattou
[isbn]
A wonderful folktale retelling inspired by the oft-forgotten fairy tale, "East of the Sun, West of the Moon," infused with wit, romance, and adventure!
Recommended by Grace B
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Jaha Nailah Avery
[isbn]
This preservation of stories over 300 years in the making should be required reading, especially considering in 2023 we have conservative podcasters and talking heads stating that African American history, specifically involving slavery, is "embellished." Avery's mission to herald history as truth — bare, brutal, and beautiful as it is — sees its accomplishment met here, burning bright as the sun.
Recommended by Stacy W.
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Sacha Lamb
[isbn]
Oh, how this book made my heart sing! When the Angels Left the Old Country is so deeply Jewish and queer and full of love; reading it felt like coming home. And if that isn't enough to sell you on this book, how about this: imagine the wit and dynamic of Good Omens mixed with Jewish folktales, a ragtag story of belonging, and a murder mystery all rolled into one. If you let it into your heart, I'm sure it will change yours.
Recommended by Nicole S
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Katie Henry
[isbn]
Fun, funny, engaging, and uplifting. You'll root for Gideon as he tries to solve two mysteries — one a classic, noir-inspired whodunnit and one the mystery of how to be a person in the world.
Recommended by Claire A.
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Ivelisse Housman
[isbn]
Unseelie is the story of Isolde and Iselia who are on the run from the fae when a heist goes awry. Iselia (Seelie) is an Autistic changeling trying to figure out how to control and utilize her magic in order to save herself and her sister. This is the Autistic representation in young adult sci-fi/fantasy we've been waiting for.
Recommended by Rin S.
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Sylvia Plath
[isbn]
This book is one of my favorite works of fiction. However, stating that has earned me more than one concerned glance over the years. The thing about this book is, even sixty years after its publication, it is something that many young girls, and young people in general, still relate to. Truly the most wonderful thing about this novel is its truth and vulnerability, both of which are often the reason people turn away from it. It is meant to be... (read more)
Recommended by Aster A.
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Siri Pettersen, Sian Mackie, Paul Russell Garrett
[isbn]
A refreshing take on Norse-inspired fantasy with no Vikings or Thor sightings to speak of! Instead we have Hirka, a girl without a tail with a secret past that could destroy the magic of her world, and we have Rime, the boy she grew up with who will do anything to protect her. Plus, ravens! Don't let the young adult categorization dissuade you — this is a fantasy that adult readers will enjoy just as much as teens.
Recommended by Carly J.
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Mara Rutherford
[isbn]
Just like the mysterious folk on the island, this book will put a spell on you. The writing is beautiful and atmospheric. Secrets unravel slowly and to surprising ends. The two main characters, Leelo and Jaren, are both so kindhearted, but that doesn't stop them from making devastating mistakes.
Recommended by Carly J.
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Roshani Chokshi
[isbn]
Set in 1800s Paris, treasure hunter Severin enlists a crew to help him steal magical artifacts from a secret society. It's Dan Brown meets Six of Crows with intriguing puzzles, high stakes, and a dynamic and diverse ensemble cast. Chokshi delivers lush prose to craft a world that's both glittering and gritty.
Recommended by Carly J.
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Angeline Boulley
[isbn]
This is a powerful story about an eighteen-year-old biracial Native American woman who confronts deep pain and corruption in her community, navigating her own sense of self and what it means to belong to a history, a lineage, to your people, and yourself. I couldn't put it down.
Recommended by Claire A.
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Jessica Goodman
[isbn]
Camp Alpine Lake is a pristine New England summer camp where kids come from all across the country to spend the best months of the year. It is idyllic, perfect, and safe — until the dead body of a local boy is found in the camp's lake and Goldie Easton becomes suspicious of the police's "accidental death" call. Jessica Goodman does an excellent job at crafting engrossing characters and emotional twists and turns.
Recommended by Sarah B.
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Mackenzi Lee
[isbn]
I am a huge fan of Bucky Barnes, and I absolutely love that Mackenzi Lee drew from his comic origins as a teen sidekick. The book flashes back and forth between young Bucky just coming into his role as a covert operative, and his later life as the Winter Soldier. It's a nailbiter of an adventure with a side of heart... and heartbreak.
Recommended by Lesley A.
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Rivers Solomon
[isbn]
An Unkindness of Ghosts is a beautiful and visceral story about Aster, a neurodivergent queer person aboard the low decks of the HSS Matilda. She and the other residents of the ship fly towards the supposed Promised Land. While this novel is hard sci-fi among the stars, it is also an analysis of racism, classism, and ableism. Aster is definitely one of my favorite neurodivergent characters.
Recommended by Rin S.
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Alexandra Christo
[isbn]
It's The Little Mermaid with a twist... They both want to kill each other!
Recommended by Taylor W.
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Chelsea Sedoti
[isbn]
The truth can look different through five different sets of eyes. Five high schoolers go camping in the woods; four come back. Each one of the survivors tells the police their version of the truth. But which truth is what really happened? Remember, just because someone's an unreliable narrator, doesn't mean they're lying.
Recommended by Lindsay P
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Angeline Boulley
[isbn]
A companion novel set in the same world as Firekeeper’s Daughter is a reason to celebrate! Ten years after the events of the first book, we meet Daunis’s niece, Perry Firekeeper-Birch. Perry’s summer takes an unexpected turn when she accepts an internship at the tribal museum and soon realizes that she wants to help recover her tribe’s stolen history. With the help of her friends, she decides to take matters into her own hands. I really... (read more)
Recommended by Jennifer H.
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Elise Bryant
[isbn]
I don't know HOW Elise Bryant manages to keep pulling at my heart strings with every new book she releases, but maybe I don't want to know. Maybe I want to continue finding bits of pieces of myself within these multi-dimensional characters who are on their own journeys to figure out who they are becoming. Reggie and Delilah are so adorable, that I audibly squealed while reading this book (#softie). You're going to love this book if you love... (read more)
Recommended by Katherine M.
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Kara Thomas
[isbn]
Instead of going to sleep, I stayed up all night and finished this book in one sitting. Kara Thomas does an excellent job at writing female protagonists that feel real and relatable. This is the first book I recommend when anyone is looking for something new to read and it's perfect for fans of Karen McManus, Holly Jackson, or Courtney Summers.
Recommended by Sarah B.
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Alice Oseman
[isbn]
If you’re into the Heartstopper series (and if you’re not, I strongly recommend that you become so!), you’ll want — you’ll need — this novella about love and doubt and growing up.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Holly Black
[isbn]
So excited to return to Elfhame in the first part of a new duology! Forgotten child queens, too-charming princes, and snow monsters, oh my!
Recommended by Matt K.
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Morgan Parker
[isbn]
This book is so heartening, hilarious, and real. It grapples honestly with the suffocating feeling of not being seen for who you are and with the freedom of becoming yourself through accumulation of little moments of rightness — songs, friends, protests, real conversations, perfect Saturday nights.
Recommended by Claire A.
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Mackenzi Lee
[isbn]
This book is SO much fun — narrated by a lovable, bisexual disaster, it's full of action, adventure, historical intrigue, queer romance, pirates, alchemy, and more. Fast-paced and hard to put down!
Recommended by Claire A.
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Catherine Bakewell
[isbn]
If you can’t tell by the cover, this is a cottagecore, flower-filled read. Clara is the sweetest main character, whose magic is abundant, chaotic, and inextricably a part of her. When her magic turns deadly, her ex-best friend agrees to help her, but only at a cruel price. Reading this feels like being transported into a Studio Ghibli movie. This slow-burn romantic fantasy is one you’ll want to cozy up with to read in one sitting.
Recommended by Charlotte S.
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Robin Mckinley
[isbn]
O Robin Mckinley, light of my life! This book fully ruined reality for me at 15 and I've reread it obsessively in dark times ever since. If only life were as simple as stepping into your magically imbued spiritual inheritance and going head to head with a demon king...
Recommended by SitaraG
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Morgan Matson
[isbn]
Every Morgan Matson book is genuinely funny and layered without being heavy. If you're in the mood for a light, heartwarming read, this is the YA book for you.
Recommended by Sarah B.
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Kendare Blake
[isbn]
I was immediately hooked by the premise of this book — three sisters forced into a competition and a fight to the death for the crown. This book was recommended to me by a friend who reads YA fantasy nonstop and it's one of her favorites and now mine.
Recommended by Sarah B.
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Susan Dennard
[isbn]
Back in 2019, Susan Dennard started a choose your own adventure storyline in her Twitter feed. For months, hundreds of fans logged on daily to "Sooz-Your-Own Adventures" and helped Winnie Wednesday on her way to becoming a hunter, dealing with friendships and family, and trying to get "boops" for Jay Friday. This book is Susan's new take on Hemlock Falls, Winnie's quest to become a hunter and all the monsters that go bump in the forest. I had so... (read more)
Recommended by Mecca A.
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Erin Beaty
[isbn]
A fascinating medieval-vibe story that revolves around an orphaned girl who stumbles upon a murdered body. With a sect of the population worshipping the moon, blood magic, and "Ripper"-styled murders, this was a fun mystery with a touch of romance that kicked me out of my reading slump.
Recommended by Mecca A.
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Tori Bovalino
[isbn]
Disguieting, gothic splendor and a deeply robust reimagining of the classic Goblin Market poem. I adore this book. This is the eerie tale read in creaky corners of an old house on a blustery day with tea brewing. Tori Bovalino's voice and prose far exceed the musings of your typical YA gothic fiction. I don't care how toxic it is I WANT TO GO TO THE GOBLIN MARKET AND PEEP AT GOBLIN MEN.
Recommended by Stacy W.
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Aiden Thomas
[isbn]
Portland author Aiden Thomas (Lost in the Never Woods, Cemetery Boys) is bringing all my favorite YA things in this duology opener: rich mythology, perilous competitive trials, teen drama, witty banter, found family, joyful queerness, and dazzling worldbuilding. Plus, if that wasn’t enough, there are so many fun birds. More YA books should have fun birds.
Recommended by Sarah R.
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Elise Bryant
[isbn]
I have been singing the praises of Happily Ever Afters for months, and I'm still just as excited to share my feelings about this book with you as I was in January. Happily Ever Afters is such a charming and refreshing story, one that I think of often and smile. When Tessa suddenly develops writer's block after transferring to a prestigious arts school, her best friend Caroline comes up with a brilliant idea: turning Tessa's life... (read more)
Recommended by Katherine M.
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Shannon Stocker, Devon Holzwarth
[isbn]
Evelyn Glennie has long been a personal inspiration of mine, and now with this lavishly illustrated book, the younger generation can be introduced to the joy of a life dedicated to music.
Recommended by Fletcher O.
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Ann Weil
[isbn]
Lyrical and mysterious, one of my childhood favorites! Michele's peaceful island life is disrupted when three travelers come to Capri in search of the fabled (and potentially cursed) Blue Grotto. Humorous, warm, and thoughtful, you'll want to seek out the grotto yourself by the end of the book.
Recommended by SitaraG
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Naomi Novik
[isbn]
Uprooted by Naomi Novik is one of those stories that you feel has somehow always existed. I mean that as a highest compliment. It captures the essence of a classic fairy-tale: what is really in that tower? and just how dangerous are those woods exactly? Novik has proven time and time again that she’s a fantasy collection must-have with napoleonic dragons, magic schools, fable, and more. Still, Uprooted is where... (read more)
Recommended by Sarah R.
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Andrew Joseph White
[isbn]
Blood, spit, innards, and bone brought to genesis by the religious nightmares of trans youth. An infernal Dies Irae for the gays. Queer horror at its most unholy and blasphemous. I could go on and on. This book is the dormant eruption that lies within every queer soul in existence. Be not afraid to let it burst from thee.
Recommended by Stacy W.
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E Lockhart
[isbn]
I'm usually pretty good at spotting surprise endings, but this one is so well done I'm glad I didn't see it coming. Beautifully written, emotionally powerful, and a scathing exploration of the corrosive effect of privilege.
Recommended by Warren B.
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Isabel Iba�ez
[isbn]
Think about the history of bullfighting — then imagine that, but with dragons and magic and a fierce female heroine who believes there's a better way. Add a hint of romance and betrayal, and you've got yourself a fantastic summer read!
Recommended by Beth C
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Sabaa Tahir
[isbn]
A beautifully compelling coming-of-age tale that offers an important glimpse into the immigrant experience. Tahir elegantly explores the complicated nuances of trauma with incredibly honest writing and such richly drawn characters, I felt I knew them personally after finishing.
Recommended by Tawney E.
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Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli and Isabel Roxas
[isbn]
It is super important to me that my children understand consent. I want to keep them safe and help them keep others safe. This book does a wonderful job of using age appropriate language and examples to show how to say 'yes' and 'no.' I really appreciated the part where they highlight that sometimes a 'yes' can later turn into 'no.' And I am so happy they used the proper names for body parts.
Recommended by Rose H.
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Judy I Lin
[isbn]
I promptly fell in love with the dreamy cover of A Magic Steeped in Poison, and the story itself. Ning's strength and determination are perfectly balanced with her vulnerability and grief. Plus, this duology has one of the most unique magic systems I've seen. Luckily for me and many other YA fantasy fans, we won't be waiting years for the sequel, A Venom Dark & Sweet, a miracle! We'll rejoin Ning on her journey and see how her... (read more)
Recommended by Charlotte S.
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Ryan La Sala
[isbn]
Midsommar meets The Heathers in this kaleidoscopic YA horror from queer author Ryan La Sala. Enchanting and noxious all at once, The Honeys is the sticky-sweet summer scare you didn't know you needed. Quite frankly, when it comes to queer YA fiction, Ryan just gets it.
Recommended by Stacy W.
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Mark M Perry
[isbn]
There's a lot of story and depth packed into this small volume, striking an impeccable balance between a character-based coming-of-age story, a multicultural folklore exploration, and a dark fantasy. It also helps that this book is set in the Pacific Northwest, a region I live in and love, and is a perfect location, I'd imagine, for all kinds of fantastic happenings.
Deep within the woods, in a region called the Dark Divide (which is a... (read more)
Recommended by Nicholas Y.
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Krystal Sutherland
[isbn]
House of Hollow is a culmination of every book I wanted to write, and in turn, every book I wanted to read throughout my life, but was never able to find. I have never read a novel quite so original. It contains every strange detail I have wanted a novel to have, from other worlds and creatures to characters and how their relationships develop beautifully throughout, and still manages so many twists I never saw coming. House of... (read more)
Recommended by Aster A.
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Tomi Adeyemi
[isbn]
Adeyemi is an entrancing storyteller whose characters hold as much magic as sweet humanity. In Children of Blood and Bone, fantasy is a portal to considering present realities of police brutality, oppressive regimes, and generational trauma. Amidst it all, Black Girl Magic shines as Adeyemi's protagonist reclaims her voice, her community, her magic, and her self. An unmissable wonder.
Recommended by Alexis B.
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Phil Stamper
[isbn]
This book is a warm hug to queer teens everywhere, and a shoulder to sob on for queer adults who never got one. I wish this adorable story could go down in history like Hinton's The Outsiders, but with state governments and school systems working hard to "not say gay," it doesn't seem likely. Heartbreaking to think that a book so pure in form could be seen as something worth banning. Hold this book tightly.
Recommended by Stacy W.
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Schele Williams, Tonya Engel
[isbn]
I was so excited to share this book with my children. It is beautiful and moving. The author did a great job writing honestly about one of our country's darkest moments in history while keeping it age appropriate. It opened up some great conversations in our family. I can't wait to share it with my friends and their children.
Recommended by Rose H.
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Adib Khorram
[isbn]
New YA from Adib Khorram? Sign me up! New YA from Adib Khorram about boy bands, the pressures of being queer in the public eye, complex and supportive friendships, and existing on your own terms even under a spotlight? Sign me up an extra time somehow! A dazzling and delightful read. Queue up a playlist of your favorite boy band tracks and buckle up, you won’t want to leave this tour bus.
Recommended by Sarah R.
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Tahereh Mafi
[isbn]
A Persian-inspired, Cinderalla-esque tale with sumptuous prose and fiery characters you'll fall hard for! (I adored the witty banter between the Alizeh and Kamran). With all the beautiful clothes and scrumptious food, I didn't want to leave this world.
Recommended by Carly J.
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Sarah J. Maas
[isbn]
I was expecting some spice (four chili peppers) and touch-her-and-you-die trope. I was not expecting the emotional journey this would take me on. This dives into emotional trauma and the importance friendship has on healing. Not to mention these women are BAs who are not afraid to challenge the ideals of others.
Recommended by Mariette E.
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Genzaburō Yoshino
[isbn]
Buy one copy of this book for yourself and one copy for every child in your life. I would argue that How Do You Live? is perhaps a perfect book. It's wholesome, it's kind, and it thinks critically. It just makes better people. It's wonderful to experience Copper's stories followed by his uncle's philosophical journal entries. You witness the concepts that will ultimately form an undoubtably good person. This book explores so much... (read more)
Recommended by Jun L.
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