An audiobook that blends unique storytelling with an exceptional vocal performance. This is a recommended choice where Hartman’s books are popular. Watt adds depth to each character, crafting a performance that has earned well-deserved critical praise and listener admiration.
Adler’s (Going Bicoastal) coming-of-age romance features strong themes of self-discovery, strength, and forgiveness. This audio will speak to those on the cusp of significant change, making it a strong choice for any YA audio collection.
Horror fans will devour this book.
A highly recommended cozy read. Hand this one to fans of Aiden Thomas and Becky Albertalli.
Modern and relatable, this series opener will delight horror and suspense readers.
A clever reboot, well imagined and well executed.
Readers who love Holly Jackson, Karen McManus, and E. Lockhart will find this book difficult to put down.
A propulsive, entertaining read about wealthy teenagers behaving badly and trying to survive high school and friendships.
A must-purchase for any high school library’s YA romance collection; this book will resonate with many readers, particularly fans of Quindlen and those struggling with their identity.
A strikingly unique and deeply intimate ruminative journey through a teen’s innermost feelings.
Purchase where magical realism and stories set in New York City do well.
Fans of Jenny Han and S. K. Ali’s smart, thinking heroines will enjoy Indy’s love story.
This book will appeal to upper high school and new adult readers seeking an engaging romance that is as sweet as it is steamy.
Librarians would be wise to add this novel to their collection, not only for its representation of people with so many beautiful differences, but because it’s a fun, angsty, poignant, and yet fast-paced story that will speak directly to all teens.
A first purchase. This is similar to other rom-coms that readers can’t get enough of.
A well-constructed thriller for mature teens that will keep readers guessing.
With its enchanting take on “Beauty and the Beast,” Lim’s (Her Radiant Curse) latest is recommended where fantasy and immersive folklore are popular.
A cunning fantasy against lush settings, with the added bonus of a strong Black lead carrying the story through the rich diversity of New Orleans.
This vibrant rom-com belongs on library shelves where Sandhya Menon and Becky Albertalli are popular.
An additional purchase, for where the author’s work is popular.
A fun, easy read that blends fashion, travel, and first love into a charming queer romance. Recommended for middle and high school collections, especially for contemporary romance fans.
Readers drawn to this story because of their own secrets might be better served by the more compelling and realistic narrative in Alice Oseman’s Radio Silence.
A fast, enthralling mystery.
Fans of Malinda Lo’s Late Night at the Telegraph Club and John Green and David Levithan’s Will Grayson, Will Grayson will enjoy this novel about theater, drag, and coming to terms with one’s identity.
Both an eerie ghost story and a moving exploration of identity, history, and belonging, this is a powerful YA thriller.
A beautiful example of Black joy and the gift of neurodiversity, this book deserves its place in library collections everywhere.
Teen Librarian Cindy Shutts shares a Video Games in Real Life program
14 quick reviews of new books.
In 1838, sisters Sarah and Angelina Grimké were the best-known, most hated women in the United States. My book tells why.
For fans of Libba Bray and Ruta Sepetys, this is a well-written, suspenseful story, which would be a great addition to YA sections.
Readers who enjoyed Trang Thanh Tran’s They Bloom at Night and Ryan Douglass’s The Taking of Jake Livingston will find this story endearing amid its bleak, surreal backdrop.
A wild, addictive ride that sinks its teeth in from the first page and doesn’t let go. Fans of Twilight and Maggie Stiefvater’s “The Wolves of Mercy Falls” will devour this story of identity, danger, and belonging.
A delightful story that shows readers the value in following their passion.
A strong purchase where romantic comedies are popular.
With an engaging premise; relatable high school setting; and complex, heartbreaking romantic subplot exploring memory, secrecy, and pain, this book is a strong purchase. Place it in fiction, sci-fi/fantasy, or romance sections.
For a more compelling reluctant vampire, turn to M. T. Anderson’s Thirsty, or for an issue-driven narrative cloaked in vampirism, try Margie Fuston’s Vampires, Hearts & Other Dead Things.
An engaging, if sometimes predictable, interpretation of the Chosen One archetype and its related tropes.
A thoughtful, character-driven exploration of family pressure, resilience, and the lure of gang culture. A strong addition to collections seeking diverse contemporary YA fiction.
This haunting and thought-provoking YA mystery is an additional purchase for libraries with readers who enjoy the supernatural.
When an accomplished mangaka and his jealous assistant inexplicably switch bodies, a battle of wits and credibility ensues in this body-swapping manga.
From tales of ghosts and vampires from around the world, to famous shipwrecks, these books are perfect for young readers excited to explore the world, and hear some fun stories and tales along the way!
Native American Heritage Month, celebrated in November, celebrates the rich histories, cultures, achievements, and stories of Indigenous peoples across the United States. Share these four YA titles, all with Indigenous protagonists, with young readers in time for NAHM and anytime during the year.
Since I was eleven, middle-grade books for drama kids have come a long way.
For burgeoning romantasy collections, this one has a little less romance and a lot more intrigue, but it lays the groundwork for the volumes to come; hold space for all three.
Teens who enjoy strong female characters and stories of survival will not want to miss this gemstone.
A messy, magnetic exploration of queer identity, desire, and parental rejection that veers into supernatural melodrama. Best for older teens comfortable with dark themes and complex relationships.
A fun, summer novel for readers who love animals and romance.
Recommended where historical romance, LGBTQIA+ stories, and authors like Mackenzi Lee are popular.
Hand this mythological-fantasy dystopia to readers who enjoy found families and moral ambiguity.
An uneven read, purchase this for larger YA collections.
A suspense-filled hit for YA thriller readers. This whodunit won’t remain on the shelves for long.
A great historical fiction addition for libraries needing more books for reluctant readers.
A unique perspective on social justice fatigue with a magical realism element that will have readers run the gamut of emotions. A necessary purchase for young adult collections.
If I wanted to belong, I had to be intentional about it. Somewhere along the way, I came into my own.
Author and TikTok star Taylor Cassidy joins us to talk about her new book, Black History Is Your History.
In this exclusive interview, J. Elle talks with SLJ about fantasy inspiring young adults' imaginations, how both she and her main character have grown over the course of three books, and what she hopes readers will take away from her trilogy.
We put such firm boundaries around what is spiritual vs what is religious vs what is make-believe. Are these distinctions needed?
Check out what reviewers had to say about The Story of My Anger, You've Found Oliver, Good Old-Fashioned Korean Spirit and Fireblooms as part of our Penguin TBR: Penguin To Be Reviewed Galley Program
What would you do if you found a magical device that could turn back time—but only by five minutes?
Recommended where body horror and the author are popular.
A touching yet humorous novel adaptation of a Webtoon-turned-graphic-novel that feels fresh, exciting, and fun.
Great for readers who enjoyed Becca Fitzpatrick’s “Hush Hush” series, those who prefer quick reads, and individuals who enjoy supernatural elements in their books.
A feel-good stand-alone for fans of time travel and romance, with an entertaining blend of science, humor, and feminist themes.
With its blend of romance, humor, and heartfelt moments, this book is perfect for those exploring the intricacies of relationships and personal growth. A great addition to a high school library.
A serviceable romance, but librarians with smaller YA romance collections will want to skip this one.
Those who love Jane Austen or mysteries will adore this version of the beloved couple Lizzie and Darcy. A superb addition to any library.
An emotionally rich exploration of the burdens, expectations, and realities for young women that will resonate with many, especially readers who also connected with Tiffany D. Jackson’s Grown.
This one is a can’t miss for fans of Shusterman.
This melodramatic romance that could use some trimming.
A fast-paced, queer political fantasy. Consider for larger collections.
Atmospheric and relevant. Recommended.
Readers who liked Octavia Butler’s Dawn, Mira Grant’s Parasite, or M.R. Carey’s The Girl with All the Gifts will enjoy this book. A recommended purchase.
High school readers drawn to the K-pop aesthetic and an inclusive cast will enjoy this homage to Pride and Prejudice.
There’s a lot to unpack and explore within this text, so it’s great for book clubs or classroom use. A must-have for teen collections.
The deeply nuanced, complex plot of legacy versus choice easily crosses into adult readership, but the richly developed characters and a quick-moving plot make it a perfect teen read.
This is a secondary purchase but may appeal to fans of Korean graphic novels.
Gamers and non-gamers alike will enjoy this one; hand to those who enjoy Brittney Morris’s Slay and Eric Smith’s Don’t Read the Comments.
A riveting story, sure to please fans of historical novels.
A great addition to collections, as the cross-genre will appeal to a variety of young women on their journey to find themselves.
If we want kids to grow up reading for fun, then we need to give them books that captivate.
Recommended for those who enjoy character-driven novels, fantastical settings, and elaborate alternative histories.
Dr. Whitney Casares discusses her book, One-of-a-Kind Body and body image with pre-teens and teens.
Mood swings, miscommunication, and music characterize this story of tween friendships.
Mood swings, miscommunication, and music characterize this story of tween friendships.
What started out as a simple way to provide a voice to my younger self by giving my main character autism became a rallying cry.
These adult titles with teen appeal feature a range of genres and topics, from magical adventures and mysteries to nonfiction explorations of everything Taylor Swift and John Green’s adult nonfiction debut.
To me, that’s the beauty of a great fictional monster. They hold up a mirror to our lives, and what we see might scare us, but it also provides the much needed sense that we’re not alone.
It’s hard for a child to think about the future, which always feels so far away when you’re a kid. That’s why we have to think about the future for them.
A lush, spooky page-turner perfect for readers of Arndt’s other novel, Together We Rot, or Stephanie Garber’s Once Upon a Broken Heart.
A powerful novel about family, friendship, love, and the indigenous culture of the Sámi people. Young adults living between multiple cultures will appreciate the rawness of self-discovery throughout.
This is a must-read for fans of folklore, horror, monsters, and LGBTQIA+ fiction.
Recommended for collections where fairy romantasy is popular.
This book is inviting, making it appropriate for young adult mystery collections.
Strongly recommended for fans of Greek and Roman mythology, particularly feminist retellings such as Jennifer Saint’s Ariadne or Madeline Miller’s Circe.
That first step to sparking the wonder of budding makers begins in the library, reading stories that inspire them to get hands-on and building their creative confidence.
A shy student begins a friendship with a popular werewolf in this fun manga.
A shy student begins a friendship with a popular werewolf in this fun manga.
Teen Librarian Karen Jensen reviews the recently released YA thriller THIS IS WHERE WE DIE by Cindy R. X. He
Hand this to romance and fairy-tale lovers.
Recommended as an additional purchase where contemporary romantic fiction is popular.
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