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With Dan in Green Gables, I’d like to pay homage to a book that helped me through difficult times—and offer some compassion and love to my relatives in the Smoky Mountains by focusing on happy memories of them, and what could have been, if they’d only embraced me.
In June, ALA Council will decide the fate of YALSA, voting on the recommendation that the teen division be eliminated and its work be moved under the umbrella of ALSC.
Sometimes, in order to honor their whole personage, instead of choosing approval or someone else’s desire, girls must choose themselves.
Big or small, we need to be talking about our boobs, especially with young women. Maybe our new battle cry for boobs should be, “We must—we must—we must DISCUSS our busts!”
A romantic comedy is delightful enough on its own, but traveling to a new destination through the eyes of one’s protagonist brings with it an additional sense of escapism and adventure, especially if traveling in real life isn’t possible.
Author Jamar J. Perry joins us to talk about his new book FINDING PRINCE CHARMING.
PREMIUM
Illuminary
This fantastical novel of misfits on a Quest literally and figuratively will entice readers in middle school and beyond. The cliff-hanger ending will have readers anticipating the sequel.
PREMIUM
Of Earthly Delights
This gothic romance, while occasionally repetitive, offers an atmospheric and emotionally charged narrative. Mature readers may particularly appreciate the sharp, eerie imagery woven throughout.
By sounding a warning before the catastrophe comes, it might motivate some readers to find ways to take action to mitigate the very worst of it.
When I sat down to write VESUVIUS, my debut YA historical fantasy set in the final days of Pompeii, I did so to put queer people back in the narrative.
Beloved YA author Tiffany D. Jackson, winner of this year’s Margaret A. Edwards Award, speaks to SLJ about the award, her expansive work, and how real life influences her stories.
In these books that take place in part during the first semester of college, characters learn more about themselves during this time of transition—and maybe fall in love along the way.
Eventually, the time will come when you have to go your own way like me and Aaliyah. You’ve got this and if nobody else believes in you, don’t worry—I do.
Books are crucial tools in understanding the lives of those who may look or sound a little different from the majority.
If Castle Swimmer sounds like a story you would enjoy, then I have some additional, queer YA comics I’d like to recommend, in celebration of Pride Month.
PREMIUM
The Protégée
A lively, if surface level, romp for teens who enjoy high drama against the barest whisper of historical settings.
PREMIUM
Amelia, If Only
A charmer of a book, this should be in teen libraries, especially ones that could use more queer romances.
PREMIUM
Embrace the Serpent
Newcomers to YA fantasy may find this one enjoyable, but for those well-versed in the genre, it doesn’t offer anything fresh.
PREMIUM
Under the Neon Lights
With the vivid verse, realistic characters, and the soul that comes from this book, it is recommended for all libraries, especially for those where novels in verse are popular.
PREMIUM
Bad Creek
This would be a great choice for readers who like the works of Mary Downing Hahn and the TV series Supernatural.
An original and entertaining adaptation with heart. Teens who are looking for realism and humor in their queer romance will be hooked.
PREMIUM
Solo Stan
The story suffers from contrivances and poor pacing, but some readers will forgive imperfections in return for a romance between underrepresented characters.
PREMIUM
The Uncertainty Principle
A wonderful addition to libraries where realistic fiction is always welcome.
PREMIUM
Kill the Lax Bro
Readers who enjoy twisty murder mysteries with multiple narrators will want to scoop this one up, though they will have to tolerate some dated viewpoints along the way.
Honest, empowering, and deeply relatable, this novel is recommended for all young adult collections.
With its charming premise, lovable characters, and heartfelt themes, this book is a must-have for any romance collection.
A perfect read for libraries in need of historical fantasy adventure fiction, especially for those interested in hierarchy of the ancient Chinese palace orders and power struggles.
PREMIUM
Never Thought I’d End Up Here
A comfort read for those struggling with connection and an easy purchase for libraries where romance fans of “he falls first” prevail.
Anything Gonzales writes should be an automatic purchase for librarians, including this story that bursts with hope and love rising above people intent on destroying it.
PREMIUM
We Can Never Leave
Purchase for fans of edgy supernatural thrillers who appreciate morally gray characters and ambiguity.
PREMIUM
Un país en mi mochila
A strong choice for migrant teens looking for books that mirror their own experiences and a good addition to Spanish-language fiction shelves for older readers.
When I told my mother about my newest adventure, she jokingly sang the refrain she used to sing to me and my siblings when she suspected we were up to no good: “Someone’s gonna end up cry-ing!”
Friends. FRIENDS. Look at all this glorious book mail. Behold the GIANT AMOUNT of books to arrive at my house in the past few weeks.
PREMIUM
The Education of Kia Greer
Perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen, readers of People magazine and gossip sites, and fans of celebrity memoirs about growing up famous or with a mom/manager figure.
PREMIUM
The Invisible Wild
An exciting adventure that explores the bitter sweetness of growing up and the grief of seeing living land under threat.
Whether or not this book’s heroine—a bright, teenage redhead who becomes the head of a multigenerational family by default
A hopeful YA coming of age story with messy family relationships, supportive friends, and a heart-breaking historical mystery that is sure to enlighten readers about what it was like to be queer in the 1950s. Perfect for fans of books such as Curtis Campbell’s Dragging Mason County.
Today we have a preview of Vol. 2 of King Arthur and the Knights of Justice, in which a football team travels back in time to the days of Camelot.
Of course, the problem with being a writer is that you’re always writing. I literally couldn’t help myself – every step of that journey, I was making a book inside my head.
Giving all the attention to the showier talents prevents us from seeing the true potential of many of the kids in our lives as well.
I hope you enjoy every step of their story, spend some well-earned time-away-from-time in Pocket, and try dressing for your own fairy tale.
I hope readers close this book feeling the same kind of sleepy magic you experience watching the sunrise after a night spent sitting up and laughing with your best friends.
I wanted warmth to radiate off the page. Kids deserve a model of what respect looks like, what empathy looks like, what support looks like. Especially nowadays.
Teen Librarians from the White Oak Library system shared some of their Hunger Games themed activities to celebrate the release of SUNRISE ON THE REAPING
It took many drafts to get the Alligator Witch of West Bay right; mythmaking takes time and energy.
In this Q&A series, SLJ poses five questions and a request for a book recommendation to a debut YA author. A. A. Vacharat shares about This Moth Saw Brightness in this latest installment.
Books can show you a world where you belong, not just by yourself, but with a whole bunch of other people who understand you and care about you.
The authors join us to talk about their experience writing THE COOKIE CRUMBLES and THEIR JUST DESSERTS together.
Teen Librarian Cindy Shutts walks us through a tutorial on how to make button silhouette art
The Burning Season is a riveting read that I highly recommend. I was so emotionally invested in the story that I got choked up toward the end.
My new middle grade novel, This Cookie Will Change Your Life, is a love letter to libraries, which is a funny thing to write, but it’s true.
Authors Katherine Locke and Nicole Melleby join us to talk about their new book, Athlete Is Agender: True Stories of LGBTQ+ People in Sports.
In Judaism, neshama describes the holy, everlasting spark inside every human being that lasts in the universe, even after a person passes away.
I was about to enter middle school, and I desperately yearned for a new obsession that could distract me from reality. I found it in the form of a cassette tape of the latest Backstreet Boys single, “All I Have to Give.”
Social biases are explored from the point-of view of a humanoid cat in this thought-provoking one shot.
This month's SLJ cover story is my piece on school shootings in middle grade and YA books.
Author Nova Ren Suma joins us to talk about her new book WAKE THE WILD CREATURES.
Author Erin Entrada Kelly joins us to talk about her new book At Last She Stood: How Joey Guerrero Spied, Survived, and Fought for Freedom
In this Q&A series, SLJ poses five questions and a request for a book recommendation to a debut YA author. Mina Ikemoto Ghosh shares about Hyo the Hellmaker in this latest installment.
Grab your towel, sunscreen, and snacks, and head out in the sunshine to enjoy some summertime stories. These 16 YA romances celebrate love and everything summer, from camp and vacation drama to days spent at jobs and on creative pursuits.
I always imagined GAMERS as a celebration of video games and how they can connect people, and I hope this book appeals to those who grew up playing them as much as those who are still growing up.
Author Riley Redgate joins us to talk about her new book COME HOME TO MY HEART.
PREMIUM
Thirsty Ground
With this novel that explores themes of identity, duty, and destiny, YA readers are in for an adventure.
Like a sun-drenched memory, this book embodies the magic of girlhood fangirl summers, the sun warming your face, and your favorite pop song blasting as if the whole world is yours.
PREMIUM
The Rebel’s Guide to Pride
Fans of Becky Albertalli’s Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda and Trung Le Nguyen’s The Magic Fish will fall in love with Zeke and his story.
Full of righteous rage and a strong drive for justice and inclusivity, Maeve's story is an inspiring look at activism.
PREMIUM
Love, Canter, Action
This debut is an absolute delight to read; it’s perfect for readers who never outgrew horse stories.
PREMIUM
Come Home to My Heart
A realistic portrait of the plight of homeless queer youth across the United States as well as a beautiful story of first love, this novel is great for high schoolers or fans of a wholesome, romantic tearjerker.
With a new-era Pretty Little Liars vibe, this cautionary thriller is the perfect drama for Karen M. McManus and Rory Power fans.
PREMIUM
Death in the Cards
Recommended for libraries where Karen M. McManus and Maureen Johnson books are popular.
PREMIUM
Titan of the Stars
A mash-up of sci-fi and horror tropes fervently coalesce into a satisfying and fresh option for teens.
PREMIUM
That Devil, Ambition
Small doses of gore and horror heighten the stakes of this magical survival story. Recommended for general purchase.
PREMIUM
When We Go Missing
Recommended where Henry’s books and blends of coming-of-age and mystery are popular.
A thought-provoking, uncomfortable thriller that readers won’t be able to forget. Highly recommended.
A must-have flirtation-via-tropes tale with all the swooning and joy readers want in a love story.
PREMIUM
Out of Step, into You
This sport-centered story featuring Black characters will appeal to teens looking for a feel-good queer romance, particularly in a genre of sports that is rarely represented.
PREMIUM
Just Another Meet Cute
Tweens and teens will gravitate towards this book, especially fans of Sarah Dessen, Katherine Center, and Ann Liang. It’s a good purchase for classroom and school libraries.
PREMIUM
This Could Be Forever
Whether readers personally resonate with Deja’s or Raja’s experiences or are just interested in YA romance, LaDelle’s book provides a beautifully sweet reading experience.
PREMIUM
Vesuvius
A fun, unique historical romance for fans of Adam Silvera’s They Both Die at the End and Roman mythology. Consider for general purchase.
PREMIUM
It’s You Every Time
The “what if” plot of a fantasy romance serves a deeper purpose here as two teens grieve the death of loved ones.
PREMIUM
A Forgery of Fate
Hand to readers who like the ache of slow-burn romance and the whimsy of fairy tales. Highly recommended for all collections.
Highly recommended for libraries diversifying their YA romance collections with more stories that focus on managing identity, disability, and mental health anxieties in positive ways. A sure delight for fans of authors like Tashie Bhuiyan and Farah Heron.
PREMIUM
His Face Is the Sun
Betrayal, murder, magic, and a monster combine within a desert setting for an ancient Egyptian-inspired Game of Thrones feel.
PREMIUM
Audre & Bash Are Just Friends
A good choice for teens looking for a summer rom-com that has a bit of depth.
Cranney performs with an addictive energy that’s just pure fun, effortlessly creating Egan’s memorable miniverse of diverse young women on the verge of self-discovery.
An expert village of narrators convincingly breathe life into Mari’s expressive, revealing graphic panels.
PREMIUM
Camila Núñez’s Year of Disasters
A sensitive Cuban coming-of-age gets authentic aural representation.
Interabled: True Stories About Love and Disability from Squirmy & Grubs and Other Interabled Couples
Pair with Melissa Blake’s Beautiful People for an empathic, inclusive introduction to the disability experience.
PREMIUM
I Am Not Jessica Chen
Regardless of format, Liang’s raw exposé of family dysfunction, performative posturing, unyielding pressures (“somehow we’re expected to just keep going”), will ring too true for many contemporary teens.
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